How Did George Santos’s Father & Aunt, A House Painter & A Mail Handler, Post His $500K Bond?
In a recent development surrounding Representative George Santos, the question of who provided the $500,000 bond guaranteeing his release from federal custody last month has been answered. The sealed court records, which Santos attempted to keep confidential, revealed that his father, Gercino dos Santos Jr., and his aunt, Elma Preven, were the two relatives who acted as guarantors.
Putting an end to weeks of speculation and heightened by Santos’s resistance to disclosing the guarantors’ names, the revelation finally sheds light on the matter. According to the unsealed court documents, dos Santos and Preven appeared in court to sign the bond, without the requirement of cash or property. They assumed personal responsibility for ensuring Mr. Santos’s appearance in court and compliance with the bond conditions. In the event of non-compliance, they would be held liable for the full $500,000 bond amount.
Santos expressed his desire to shield their identities to protect them from potential threats and harassment. However, news organizations, including The New York Times, argued that the public had a legitimate interest in knowing their identities.
Despite his efforts to maintain their anonymity, Santos, a first-term GOP congressman facing 13 federal criminal charges, was unsuccessful in persuading a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York to seal their names.
The judge, Joanna Seybert, pointed out that Santos’s own actions contributed to the heightened interest in their identities, “notwithstanding the fact that he is aware their identities are not controversial, has simply created hysteria over what is, in actuality, a nonissue.”
Following the judge’s decision, Santos tweeted that he and his family had come to terms with the ruling and requested privacy for his relatives.
Preven, who stated her occupation as a mail handler for the Postal Service when making contributions to Santos’s congressional campaigns in 2020 and 2021, owns an apartment in Queens’ Jackson Heights neighborhood, as indicated by property records.
Meanwhile, dos Santos, described by his son as a Brazilian immigrant of Angolan descent, resides in Queens as well, according to campaign finance records. Though he claimed to work as a house painter, construction worker, or retiree when donating to his son, he declared his employment in court last month.
The interest surrounding the guarantors’ identities stems from the reported falsehoods in Santos’s biography and raising ethical concerns related to his personal and campaign finances. While the neophyte congressperson has admitted to lying about his education and work history, he has not addressed other inconsistencies and provided ambiguous responses when questioned about his business dealings and their connection to his political activities.
In addition to the pending criminal case, Santos faces an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The committee’s top Democratic and Republican members stated that they are working toward a swift resolution, expanding the investigation to cover all charges in the federal indictment. Last month, the committee requested Santos to disclose the names of his sureties to determine if the bail guarantee violated House rules on accepting gifts from non-family members.
Santos’s representative hinted at the guarantors’ identities in his response to the committee, asserting that no ethics rules had been violated. It should be noted that a third guarantor was initially involved but later withdrew their support due to media attention surrounding Santos’s legal case. According to court filings, their identity remains undisclosed.
Under the terms of his bond agreement, Santos, who is currently running for re-election, is permitted to travel between New York and Washington, D.C., with prior authorization for other trips. The next hearing in his criminal case is scheduled for June 30.
Information for this briefing was found via the The New York Times and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
