Santos Granted 7-Day Pre-Trial Extension: Judge

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A judge has granted former congressman George Santos' request in part to extend the pre-trial motion schedule for his federal corruption trial.

Santos was seeking a 30-day extension, however, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, granted a seven-day extension.

In the response on Wednesday, the judge also said, "Absent extraordinary circumstances no further extension requests of the pre-trial motion schedule will be granted."

Santos' de-designation request was denied by the court.

In the filing last week, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said, "Santos’s request to de-designate is a transparent effort to litigate this case in the media, not in the courtroom, and to improperly influence both the jury pool and potential trial witnesses."

Santos, who ended his Independent bid for the 1st Congressional District on Wednesday, is facing trial on 23 counts ranging from theft of public funds to conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Santos' next court appearance is tentatively scheduled for August.

He was expelled from Congress in December.