George Santos, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island, defied calls to resign and said he would not give up on his bid for a second term.Scott Applewhite / Associated Press
Rep. George Santos, an attorney, said Monday that the convict, a New York Republican, will risk jail time to protect the identities of the people who co-signed the $500,000 bond to allow him to be released before his trial.
Attorney Joseph Murray urged the judge to deny a media request to disclose the names of the guarantors or guarantors of the Santos bonds, saying they could suffer significant hardship, including job loss and material damage, if they were publicly identified.
Murray wrote in a letter to US Judge Anne Shields: “My clients would rather surrender to remand than subject these guarantees to what should happen.”
Murray asked her to give them time to opt out as co-signers if she decided to release their names, which Shields kept from the public hearings schedule at the attorney’s request.
Murray said he and Santos and Santos employees have received threats, harassment and letters, including death threats. The lawyer said he received a call on Friday from someone exclaiming, “Who posted Santos’ bail?” He said he fears Santos’ critics are “just waiting to pounce” on people who support his release.
“We truly fear for their health, safety and well-being,” Murray wrote.
Santos pleaded not guilty May 10 to a 13-count indictment of defrauding donors, stealing his campaign, lying to Congress about being a millionaire, and cheating him out of undeserved unemployment benefits. He is due back in court on June 30.
The 34-year-old, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island, defied calls to resign and said he would not give up his bid for a second term.
The plaintiffs did not take a position on the request to open the seal.
In a letter last week, attorneys for the news organizations urged the judge to release the names of Santos bondholders, citing “the compelling public interest in maintaining as much transparency as possible in these proceedings.”
The New York Times first wrote to Shields on May 23 asking for the names to be released. Other media outlets, including the Associated Press, joined the fight days later.
Separately, the House Ethics Committee wrote to Santos on May 16 asking him to identify the people who tied him up.
Santos initially appointed three of the financially responsible signatories as collateral, Murray said, but one withdrew and the other two never showed up for trial.
Murray said that would require them to make “other confidential arrangements” to secure Santos’ release.
Santos bonds are unsecured. This meant that his co-signers did not provide any money, but could have paid the full amount if he did not comply with the terms of his release or did not appear in court.
