Last month, a grand jury indicted the habitual and pathological liar, Congressman George Santos (Liar-NY), on 13 federal criminal charges, including counts of wire fraud and money laundering; he pleaded not guilty. Three people came forward and posted Santos’ $500,000 bond after his arraignment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Now, Mr. Santos has requested the court seal the identity of these individuals.
Originally, several media organizations in two separate requests asked for the court to unseal the names, arguing that there is a public right to access the records. Of course, Santos’ attorney has flipped their request and argued the court should not reveal their identities because it would create a ‘media frenzy. Santos’ attorney, Joseph Murray, also argued that would rather be detained ahead of his trial than allow his bail sponsors’ names to become public.
“If this Court is so inclined to unseal the sureties, we truly fear for their health, safety and well being,” Murray wrote.
“In fact, if the suretors are required to be identified, we respectfully request that the Court allow the suretors notice before the court releases their information so that they can withdraw as cosignors on the bond and Rep. Santos and I will appear before Your Honor forthwith,” Murray wrote.
“My client would rather surrender to pretrial detainment than subject these suretors to what will inevitably come,” he continued.
