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George Santos makes deal with MP from Rio to avoid prosecution in Brazil

George Santos makes deal with MP from Rio to avoid prosecution in Brazil

Republican Congressman George Santos’ deal with Brazilian authorities to avoid prosecution in a 2008 embezzlement case is due to be finalized this Thursday (11) in Rio de Janeiro, according to documents seen by the CNN .

Rio de Janeiro Public Ministry prosecutors proposed a deal with Santos in which he would pay a fine to the state of Rio de Janeiro and reimburse the victim for the full amount he defrauded, corrected for inflation.

Santos is expected to appear before the judge via video on Thursday afternoon.

Documents obtained by CNN in January showed that Santos confessed to having committed fraud against a clerk in a store in Rio de Janeiro, after making a purchase of US$ 1,300 in clothes and shoes in 2008.

The total amount that prosecutors are asking Santos to pay is approximately US$4,878.45 (about R$24,170). Of this amount, approximately US$2,000 (R$9,900) will go to the government as a fine and US$2,800 (R$13,800) to the victim.

A source familiar with the case and Rio de Janeiro state law said the fine was more than seven times the average amount charged in fines for similar cases.

In January, Santos’ attorney requested agreement in a petition that said Santos would formally confess to the crime and pay compensation to the victim, as required by Brazilian law, in order to avoid prosecution.

A memo from Brazilian prosecutors agreeing to the settlement in March asked the defense for assurances that they could contact the victim to reimburse him before the settlement was finalized.

In a statement to CNN in March, the Public Ministry recognized the memorandum, but emphasized that the agreement is not final until all conditions are met. The case is under judicial secrecy.

News of the potential Brazilian deal came after Santos pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to 13 US federal charges, including money laundering, wire fraud, theft of public funds and lying to the House of Representatives.

Source: CNN Brasil