George Santos Fraud Trial to Begin with Anonymous Jury

In a recent federal court hearing on Long Island, Judge Joanna Seybert addressed the upcoming trial of New York Republican Congressman George Santos, emphasizing the need to streamline the proceedings. Seybert concurred with prosecutors that a written questionnaire for potential jurors would complicate the process, opting instead for in-person questioning to elicit more nuanced responses. The trial is expected to last three weeks, with prosecutors planning to call around 36 witnesses, including victims of Santos' alleged misconduct. Santos' attorney, Robert Fantone, expressed confidence in securing a fair trial despite the extensive negative media coverage surrounding his client. Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December following an ethics investigation, has faced significant public scrutiny, with over 1,500 articles published about him, including a "Saturday Night Live" skit. His legal team argued that a juror questionnaire was necessary to address potential biases stemming from this media attention, citing similar practices in high-profile cases like that of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Judge Seybert granted a request for a partially anonymous jury, where jurors' identities will be known only to the court and attorneys involved. Additionally, prosecutors aim to introduce evidence of Santos' alleged campaign lies, including false claims about his educational background and employment history. Last month, the judge denied Santos' attempt to dismiss three of the 23 charges he faces, while Santos has since abandoned efforts to return to Congress as an independent.