Former George Santos aide pleads guilty to federal conspiracy charge, faces years in prison

A former longtime aide to embattled Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., pled guilty to a federal conspiracy charge Thursday and faces up to four years in prison for submitting false campaign finance reports.

While accepting the plea deal at a Long Island federal courthouse, Nancy Marks, who served as campaign treasurer for Santos’ congressional bids in 2020 and 2022, said she and Santos falsely reported that he had loaned his campaign $500,000, despite not having the money to do so, and that the fake loan was to give the impression his campaign was well-funded in order to attract more donors.

Marks also admitted to giving the Federal Elections Commission a list of fake donors who had not actually given to the campaign, doing so without their permission.

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According to the Associated Press, the court’s discussion surrounding the plea agreement, which comes with a recommendation Marks serve between 3 1/2 years to 4 years in prison, did not include a requirement for her to cooperate in the case against Santos.

The congressman was indicted in May on federal charges that he embezzled money from his campaign, lied in financial disclosures submitted to Congress and received unemployment funds when he wasn’t eligible.

Following her acceptance of the plea deal, Marks’ attorney told reporters outside the courthouse that Santos “mentally seduced” her.

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“There’s a manipulation involved that had to do with her family and the death of her husband,” the attorney said. “There were lies told.” He later indicated Marks would be willing to testify against Santos if asked to do so.

Marks resigned from her position as Santos’ treasurer in January after revelations he had lied about his life story and experience. The congressman later became treasurer of his own campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.