CNN
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A Texas man who allegedly instructed George Santos that he may get proof towards the previous congressman “disappeared” for practically $1 million was arrested on Wednesday and charged with fraud.
Federal prosecutors accuse Hector Medina of telling the previous congressman that they may strike a “deal” the place Medina may get “proof that’s on you eliminated, disappeared.”
In keeping with the Justice Division, Medina, who’s charged with wire fraud, turned himself in to legislation enforcement Wednesday morning. The 39-year-old from El Paso will make his first look in courtroom later Wednesday and faces as much as 20 years in jail if convicted.
“Mr. Medina eagerly anticipates confronting the allegations towards him via the formal authorized course of,” his legal professional Joseph Veith mentioned in a press release to CNN.
In July 2023, Medina allegedly despatched a video to an individual recognized in courtroom filings as “Particular person-1,” providing his providers and later that day adopted up in textual content messages.
Although Particular person-1 isn’t named by prosecutors, he’s recognized in filings as somebody who previously represented New York’s third Congressional District and is now facing criminal charges. The dates of the person’s time period in Congress and once they had been charged additionally make it clear that the unnamed particular person is Santos.
Medina additionally tried to defraud different well-known people via comparable strategies, in line with courtroom paperwork, together with somebody described by prosecutors as a “publicly recognized” actor who was convicted of felonies in California in 2023, in addition to a musician arrested and an expert athlete across the similar time. These alleged victims aren’t named in filings, both.
In keeping with the filings, Medina instructed investigators that he searched the web for individuals who seemed to be in authorized hassle and that he wanted cash to cowl greater than $100,000 in playing money owed.
Within the July video despatched to Santos and described by prosecutors, Medina allegedly tells the congressman: “You don’t know me however, I needed you to see a face and belief me on what I’m about to let you know.”
“I work with prosecutors and, uh, judges all through america and I wish to provide the alternative to supply my providers,” Medina says, in line with courtroom paperwork. “I used to be contacted by some individuals to achieve out to you and see if you happen to needed to chop a deal. Uh, this solely stands for at the moment. If you happen to’re , I can get all the things dropped, proof that’s on you eliminated, disappeared. Attain out to me if you happen to’re . It’s easy sure or no.”
Medina additionally reached out by way of textual content, in line with prosecutors, saying he “can get all the fees dropped.”
“All I would like is for you or somebody to wire 900k,” Medina wrote, prosecutors say. Medina additionally despatched a routing and account quantity, which prosecutors say was his.
“As soon as that is carried out I’ll care for the remaining … I’m the actual deal don’t let doubt come,” he allegedly wrote.
Medina allegedly continued to ship messages to the congressman in the summertime of 2023 to supply his supposed providers, telling Santos: “I’m actually good at what I do. I’m a genius. I’m a wizard with regards to issues like this.”