George Santos Fundraiser Charged with Fraud
Aide to New York Republican impersonated staffer for Kevin McCarthy to raise funds, prosecutors say Rep. George Santos, who isn’t named but is identifiable in the indictment, faces 13 counts, including fraud and money laundering, in a separate case. Photo: Rod Lamkey/Zuma Press By Corinne Ramey Aug. 16, 2023 4:13 pm ET A former aide for Rep. George Santos was indicted on fraud charges Wednesday for allegedly impersonating a high-ranking House staffer while fundraising for the New York Republican’s 2022 election campaign. Sam Miele, who worked for Santos on two campaigns, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Santos, who isn’t named but is identifiable in the indictment, faces 13 counts, including fraud and money laundering, in a separate c
Rep. George Santos, who isn’t named but is identifiable in the indictment, faces 13 counts, including fraud and money laundering, in a separate case.
Photo: Rod Lamkey/Zuma Press
A former aide for Rep. George Santos was indicted on fraud charges Wednesday for allegedly impersonating a high-ranking House staffer while fundraising for the New York Republican’s 2022 election campaign.
Sam Miele, who worked for Santos on two campaigns, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Santos, who isn’t named but is identifiable in the indictment, faces 13 counts, including fraud and money laundering, in a separate case.
Miele, 27 years old, pleaded not guilty Wednesday and was released on a $150,000 bond. “He looks forward to complete vindication at trial as soon as possible,” said his lawyer, Kevin Marino.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.
Rep. George Santos recently pleaded not guilty to 13 felony charges. WSJ’s Ashby Jones breaks down those charges and what’s next for the New York Republican. Photo Illustration: Ryan Trefes
Between August and December of 2021, prosecutors said, Miele sent emails and made phone calls to more than a dozen campaign contributors in which he impersonated Dan Meyer, who served as chief of staff for now-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.). Miele created an email account in Meyer’s name and signed fundraising solicitations using his name and title, according to the indictment.
Miele received a 15% commission on each contribution he raised, prosecutors said. In September 2022, Miele wrote a letter to Santos, in which he said he was “faking my identity to a big donor,” adding that he was “high risk, high reward in everything I do.”
McCarthy and Meyer are identifiable in the indictment but aren’t named. Meyer, who didn’t authorize Miele to use his name, couldn’t be reached for comment. A McCarthy spokesman didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Federal prosecutors have accused Santos of lying about his finances on House disclosure forms, using political contributions for personal purchases and fraudulently receiving unemployment insurance benefits.
Santos pleaded not guilty and said he wouldn’t resign. He has acknowledged misleading voters but said he didn’t commit a crime.
Write to Corinne Ramey at [email protected]
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