Santos Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud, Defies Calls to Resign (1)

Representative George Santos was released on a $500,000 bond after being arrested on fraud and money-laundering charges, as the embattled Republican from New York comes under increasing pressure to resign — and snubbed those demands in defiant remarks outside court after his arraignment.

The 34-year-old lawmaker appeared before a judge on Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Central Islip, New York. Wearing khaki pants, a white dress shirt and a navy blazer, he walked into the packed courtroom without handcuffs, escorted by two deputy US Marshals, and pleaded not guilty. His lawyer told the court Santos intended to carry on ...