Rep. George Santos Signs Non-Prosecution Agreement in Brazil to Avoid Prosecution for Forged Checks

New York Rep. George Santos has signed an agreement with public prosecutors in Brazil to avoid prosecution for forging two stolen checks in 2008. This comes a day after Santos pleaded not guilty to charges in the U.S.

Santos’ lawyer in Brazil, Jonymar Vasconcelos, told The Associated Press in a text message that “what would have been the start of a case was ended today.” When asked about the details of the non-prosecution agreement, Vasconcelos declined to comment, citing the fact the case proceeded under seal.

The public prosecutors’ office of Rio de Janeiro state also declined to comment when contacted by the AP. Court records in Brazil, first uncovered by The New York Times, show Santos was the subject of a criminal charge for using two stolen checks to purchase goods and services in 2008.

Santos has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 2017 and is currently running for re-election. He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been convicted of any crime in the U.S. or Brazil. It is unclear if the non-prosecution agreement in Brazil will have any effect on the charges he is facing in the U.S.