Rep. George Santos stated that he wouldn't take a plea deal “right now” in his federal indictment during which the congressman was charged with over a dozen counts. 

Mr. Santos, New York Republican, advised Fox 5 New York on Friday that he was “fighting to prove” his innocence.

“Right now, I’m fighting to prove my innocence, and I think that’s what everybody should do,” Mr. Santos stated. “You have the burden of proving innocence and I think you should go fight for that.”

Mr. Santos was indicted on 13 federal fees in May for deceptive donors and misrepresenting his funds to the general public and authorities companies. The lawmaker pleaded not responsible to the fees. If convicted, Mr. Santos may withstand 20 years in jail.

When requested if the quite a few federal fees can be a distraction for him, Mr. Santos stated that was for his authorized workforce to fret about. 

“It’s a distraction if you don’t have a legal team, I have a legal team, that’s their job. My job is to work right,” Mr. Santos stated. “I’m not a lawyer, I’m not putting on my defense, I’m not going through discovery, that’s my attorney’s job and they’re doing that.”

Earlier this week, the embattled lawmaker missed the deadline to file monetary disclosures in Congress required from each lawmaker. Mr. Santos stated that he has a 90-day grace interval, and intends to file the disclosure. 

Mr. Santos has lengthy ignored calls from Republicans and Democrats to resign from his place. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, stated that he wouldn't help Mr. Santos’ reelection bid. 

He stated that he revered the speaker, however that the opinion — and vote — of his constituents mattered extra. 

“I want to be judged by the people who elected me,” Mr. Santos stated.

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