Earlier this month, Long Island fabulist Rep. George Santos said he would instead go to jail than give up the identities of the individuals who financially backed his criminal bond.
Wish denied, says U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, who ordered the names to be unsealed at noon EDT Thursday, giving the bond guarantors a window to withdraw beforehand. So, will Lyin' George go to jail for his enablers? Probably not. He doesn't strike me as a loyal guy.
The Hill reports:
A coalition of media organizations pushed to make the filings public, but Joe Murray, Santos's attorney, previously indicated the embattled congressman would rather be detained ahead of trial than allow their identities to be unsealed.
Murray has repeatedly cited a "media frenzy" in attempting to keep the bond sureties names' private, saying the congressman fears for their health and safety. Murray has also suggested at least one of Santos's bond sponsors is a relative.
"Defendant may move to modify the conditions of his release, should the Suretors seek to withdraw from serving as suretors," Seybert wrote in the brief ruling, although her attached opinion remains under seal.
The trio paid $500,000 to keep the New York Republican out of jail. I think one of the culprits is the embattled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui. We'll find out on Thursday.
