Federal prosecutors say a Texas man used a wire fraud scheme to defraud disgraced former Republican Rep. George Santos, actor Danny Masterson and other celebrities.
The suspect, Hector Medina Jr., who goes by the name “Michael Soto,” was able to access Santos’ cell phone in exchange for a large sum of cash to have criminal charges dropped, the Justice Department said in a court filing. He reportedly sent a text message saying they had sex.
“You don’t know me, but I wanted you to see my face and believe what I’m about to tell you,” Medina said in a video message to Santos in July. “I work with prosecutors and judges across the United States and would like to give you the opportunity to offer my services.”
“Several people have contacted me to see if you would like to sign a contract,” he continued. “Well, this is just for today. If you’re interested, I’ll remove everything, get rid of any evidence about you, and have it erased. If you’re interested, please contact me. It’s a simple yes. Or no. Thank you.”
Former Rep. George Santos sues Jimmy Kimmel for asking him to appear in a broadcast cameo: ‘Fraud’
The Department of Justice announced that a Texas man has been charged with attempting to defraud former Congressman George Santos and actor Danny Masterson. (Getty Images)
One message asked Santos to wire $900,000 and included a bank phone number, authorities said.
Medina, who lives in El Paso, turned himself in to authorities, The Hill reported. FOX News Digital reached out to the Eastern District of New York, where Medina is being prosecuted.
“I am currently in the early stages of representing Mr. Medina in this matter,” Medina’s attorney Joseph Weiss told FOX News Digital. “Mr. Medina looks forward to confronting the allegations against him through the formal legal process.”
Danny Masterson is incarcerated in the same high-security prison that held Charles Manson.
Congressman George Santos speaks to reporters outside the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Mr. Santos has pleaded not guilty to charges that the financial fraud was at the center of a political campaign based on his own personal boasts. Wealth and business success. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Meanwhile, Santos has been indicted on charges including wire fraud, but has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the Medina case.
The complaint does not indicate whether Santos is facing fraud charges.
The New York Republican was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 by flipping blue districts. He was expelled from Congress in December after being accused of numerous financial irregularities, including using campaign funds for numerous luxury goods and treatments such as Botox.
Danny Masterson was found guilty of two counts of forcible rape in September. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
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Medina is also suspected of trying to defraud Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape, prosecutors said. He allegedly sent a message to Masterson in June 2023.
“The case can be thrown out or the sentence reduced, but my subordinate is demanding a $1 million fee,” the message said.
Prosecutors say other targets include unnamed professional athletes.
