George Santos charged – live: New York congressman is arrested on federal criminal charges

Mr Santos was taken into custody in Melville, Long Island, where the FBI is located, before being taken to the Central Islip federal courthouse, CNN reported.

The New York Republican will be arraigned this afternoon before US Magistrate Judge Arlene Lindsay, according to The New York Times.

George Santos surrendered to the authorities on Wednesday and is currently in custody at a federal courthouse, according to The New York Times.

He has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.

George Santos has surrendered to the authorities as he faces federal charges, according to the AP and The New York Times.

George Santos, the New York congressman who rose to prominence for a string of exaggerations , lies, and irregularities related to his personal background and campaign finances, has been hit with a series of federal charges.

The exact nature of the charges aren’t yet public and remain under seal but they concern federal crimes, NBC News and CNN report.

The New York Republican has been under investigation by multiple bodies since being elected, including the House Ethics Committee, as well as the Federal Election Commission, and local and federal prosecutors.

Mr Santos could reportedly appear in federal court in New York’s eastern district as soon as Wednesday.

Kevin McCarthy has managed to dodge questions about disgraced Republicans George Santos and Donald Trump – all the while claiming he would not “avoid” the question.

On Tuesday, the House Majority Leader was asked by a reporter to comment on the two prominent GOP figures, after Mr Trump was found liable of sexual abuse and Mr Santos was indicted on federal charges.

“Are you going to continue to stand by George Santos now that he’s been indicted on federal charges? And do you stand by President Trump after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse?” the reporter asked.

Mr McCarthy responded by saying: “I’m not going to avoid your question.”

He then proceeded to do just that as he skirted around the subjects without giving a definitive answer.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Pressure is mounting on Kevin McCarthy to do something about the Republican party’s George Santos problem.

After news broke that Mr Santos had been hit with charges, Rep Dan Goldman called on the House speaker to “eliminate the stain” of the controversial Republican lawmaker.

“Now that Santos has been indicted, it is incumbent on Speaker Kevin McCarthy to eliminate the stain of Santos on this hallowed institution by removing him from Congress immediately,” he said.

“We cannot wait any longer.”

Scandal-plagued New York Representative George Santos was mocked by New Yorkers as he appeared in the city to attend a rally in support of former President Donald Trump on the day of his arraignment in April.

Mr Santos was hounded by reporters as he arrived, with BuzzFeed reporter David Mack calling it “utter chaos”.

Now, it is Mr Santos who may be in the court spotlight once again, as he’s facing federal charges following multiple investigations into his congressional campaign.

Derek Myers, a former aide for the congressman, told NewsNation on Tuesday that the Justice Department’s charges are “just the start” of an “avalanche” of problems for George Santos.