Santos Appears In Court, As Plea Talks Continue With Prosecutors

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Disgraced former congressman George Santos was back in court on Tuesday.

Prosecutors told the judge that they "expect plea negotiations to continue," a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District, said.

The next court appearance in Central Islip is scheduled for January 23 at 10:30 a.m., prosecutors announced.

Also at Tuesday's status conference, the judge said she was inclined to keep the date for the trial to start in September, but if her trial schedule changes they can revisit that discussion, she said.

Santos told CBS2 on Sunday, "A plea is not off the table, obviously, at this point. I’m gonna negotiate the best I can."

Santos, who was expelled from Congress on Dec. 1, has been charged with 23 federal counts, including wire fraud and theft of public funds.

He spent 11 months on Capitol Hill representing the 3rd District. Santos made up much of his past, including his family, and aspects of his professional and educational life.