Brazilian Authorities Reopen Fraud Case Against George Santos: Report

LONG ISLAND, NY — George Santos is due to be sworn in to Congress as the new representative for Long Island's 3rd District on Tuesday, even as his legal and criminal issues mounted Monday, when The New York Times reported that Brazilian authorities will reopen a 2008 criminal case against the 34-year-old Republican.

In 2008, Santos, now 34, was accused of stealing an elderly man's checkbook and using it to buy $700 worth of clothing in Niterói, the town near Rio de Janeiro where he lived. In 2010, he told police he stole the checkbook of a man his mother was caring for as a health aide or nurse, and formal charges were issued.

The 2008 Brazilian court records refer to Santos as being of "American nationality."

Santos never responded to the charges, and Brazilian records showed they couldn't find him. Patch reported that by 2011, Santos was living in New York and working at Dish Network in Queens.

Santos also faces domestic investigations into possible illegal campaign disclosures and financing.

The Eastern District U.S. Attorney and Nassau County district attorney's offices both opened investigations into Santos a week after numerous reports surfaced about Santos fabricating much of his background, resume and biography.

Santos admitted to lying about his job and work background, but has maintained he will not step down. Calls for him to resign or be looked at by the House ethics committee came from numerous elected officials, including some Long Island Republicans.

Brazilian prosecutors plan to file a petition later this week requesting Santos' response to the charges, and share it with U.S. prosecutors, according to the Times. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify someone from congressional office.