Nancy Marks, the former campaign treasurer of embattled freshman Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was set to plead guilty Thursday to an unspecified felony in connection to a federal investigation related to Santos’ finances.
A veteran Long Island political operative, Marks served as campaign treasurer and close aide to Santos during his two congressional bids. She resigned amid growing questions about Santos’ campaign finances and revelations that the Representative had fabricated much of his life story.
Marks was scheduled to plead guilty in a Central Islip, Long Island courtroom.
On May 10, Santos pleaded not guilty to 13 criminal counts at the federal court in New York’s Eastern District.
Charges against him include seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.
Wire fraud is the most serious count, carrying a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. If Santos is found guilty of multiple counts, it would be up to a judge to decide whether he should serve his sentences concurrently or consecutively.
Several House Democrats in July filed to censure Santos, though their resolution has little chance of passing in the Republican-controlled chamber.
Meanwhile, Santos is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee regarding whether he may have “engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign,” among a series of allegations.
Within a month of taking the oath of office in January Santos asked to be removed from his House committee seats until his various legal issues are resolved.
Another member of Santos’ election team, fundraiser Samuel Miele, has been charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of identity theft amid allegations he impersonated a top aide to House of Representatives leadership. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn in August.
Santos filed for reelection in 2024 on March 14.
