Matt Jacobs and Andrey Spektor: If Rep.-elect George Santos was as loose with disclosing his finances on campaign forms as he has been in public about his personal history, a federal indictment will be the likely result. - NBCNewsTHINK
If there is a case to be made against Santos, it’s most likely that the Justice Department would bring it rather than a state prosecutor. Santos was a federal candidate who completed federal forms that expose him to federal penalties. And there are no obvious state violations or other punishments coming for Santos unless state investigators uncover new facts.
State or federal, no prosecution is guaranteed — but the fact that a little known congressman-elect has quickly attracted national attention and the scrutiny of so many legal arms of the government should dissuade other candidates from lying to the public. If warranted, a federal conviction would send an even stronger message.Matt Jacobs is a former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York and the Central District of California. He was the Republican nominee in 2022 for U.S.