Campaign Fundraiser Impersonating Kevin McCarthy Aide Pleads Guilty, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison

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Kevin McCarthy A fundraiser for George Santos‘ campaign pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Tuesday, marking the latest legal woe for a staffer of the embattled New York Republican congressman. While initially identified as the chief of staff for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the Department of Justice’s release confirming the plea did not explicitly name the staffer.

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Second Guilty Plea in Santos’ Campaign

The guilty plea from Miele, indicted in August, comes as the second Santos campaign staffer to admit to criminal charges. Last month, former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks confessed to various charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Santos Facing Multiple Charges: Kevin McCarthy

Santos himself is confronting numerous charges, maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty to 13 felony charges in May. The freshman representative has faced scrutiny since winning his Long Island House seat, with revelations about falsehoods in his personal and professional life. The October indictment accuses Santos of identity theft involving campaign donors and unauthorized credit card charges, replacing an earlier indictment that alleged embezzlement from his campaign and lying to Congress, among other charges.