CNN —Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against New York Rep. George Santos, the Republican lawmaker whose astonishing pattern of lies and fabrications stunned even hardened politicos, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Santos is expected to appear as soon as Wednesday at federal court in New York’s eastern district, where the charges have been filed under seal. Spokespeople for the Brooklyn US Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department and the FBI declined to comment. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he will look at the charges before determining if he thinks Santos should be removed from Congress. But as Santos’ past came under closer scrutiny, with large chunks of his official biography revealed to be conjured from nothing, he increasingly adapted the persona of a right-wing troll.

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