By Rodrigo, Viga and Gaier
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 12 (Reuters) - Republican U.S.
congressman George Santos, who has Brazilian heritage, agreed to
settle a lawsuit in which he was accused of bouncing checks to
buy clothes in a Rio de Janeiro clothing store over a decade
ago, a court in Rio said.
Santos was indicted this week for fraud and money laundering
in the U.S., and has faced months of allegations related to lies
about his career and history.
He denies the new charges, which he has branded a "witch
hunt", and has vowed to fight back.
The Brazil case was shelved in 2011, as the Brazilian courts
were unable to reach Santos. However, it reopened after the
Republican politician was elected to a seat in the U.S. House of
Representatives from New York, allowing the Brazil courts to
locate him.
He will pay about 24,000 reais ($4,800) within a month to
settle the lawsuit in the Rio de Janeiro court.
Reuters could not immediately contact his lawyer in Brazil.
In the new indictment in the U.S., the 34-year-old Santos
has been accused of defrauding potential political supporters by
laundering funds to pay for his personal expenses and receiving
unemployment benefits illegally while he was employed.
Santos is also accused of making false statements to the
House of Representatives about his assets, income and debts. He
has resisted calls to resign for lying about his resume.
Republicans control the U.S. House of Representatives by a
narrow margin of 222 to 213. Santos has pleaded not guilty and
party leaders said he can keep his seat while the case works its
way through court.
Santos was released on a $500,000 bail but was ordered to
surrender his passport and limit travel. He can return to
Washington and vote in Congress, and is due to appear in court
next on June 30.
(Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier; Writing by Steven Grattan;
Editing by David Gregorio)
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