George Santos' Former Roommate Tells Feds THIS...

Written By BlabberBuzz | Saturday, 11 March 2023 02:15 AM
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George Santos' Former Roommate Tells Feds THIS...

A man convicted of credit card fraud and deported to Brazil has submitted a sworn declaration to federal authorities, alleging that Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican, orchestrated a 2017 credit card skimming operation in Seattle.

Gustavo Ribeiro Trelha claimed in his declaration that Santos, whose full name is George Anthony Devolder Santos, was the mastermind behind the operation. He said, "Santos taught me how to skim card information and how to clone cards. He gave me all the materials and taught me how to put skimming devices and cameras on ATM machines." Trelha decided to come forward after seeing Santos on television, he said in the declaration.

According to Politico, Santos won a Long Island swing district in November 2020 after lying about his education, work experience, and supposed Jewish ancestry on the campaign trail. The House ethics panel investigated Santos last week to explore possible “unlawful activity” related to his run. Santos has admitted to "embellishing" parts of his background but denies breaking any laws. State, federal, and Brazilian authorities are also investigating Santos in relation to a series of potential financial crimes.

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Trelha and Santos met on a Facebook group for Brazilians living in Orlando, Florida, in the fall of 2016. By November, Trelha had rented a room in Santos' Winter Park apartment, where he learned how to clone ATM and credit cards. Santos kept a warehouse on Kirkman Road in Orlando to store the skimming equipment, according to Trelha's declaration. Trelha then flew to Seattle, where he was caught on a security camera removing a skimming device from a Chase ATM on Pike Street. He was arrested on April 27, 2017.

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Trelha pleaded guilty to felony access device fraud, served seven months in jail, and was deported to Brazil in early 2018. He claims that Santos did not help him get out of jail and stole the money he had collected for his bail. In his declaration, Trelha attests that he signed it "willingly and truthfully" and that he has witnesses to support his statements.

Representatives for the FBI, the Secret Service, and the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment. A lawyer for Santos also did not respond to emails and text messages for comment.

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