The former American congressman George Santos has pleaded guilty to two counts of crime. Santos, who represented the state of New York in the US House of Representatives, admits to fraud and identity theft during a court hearing in Central Islip, Long Island.
A trial against him was planned for early September, which he will likely avoid now.
Santos will receive his sentence early next year, and he risks up to six years in prison.
The controversial Republican Santos was expelled from the US House of Representatives in December last year after an investigation found "overwhelming evidence" of lies and financial deceit.
Among other things, he received unemployment benefits despite working, and he also pocketed campaign contributions.
It was the first time in 20 years, and only the sixth time in American history, that a member of the House of Representatives was kicked out of the chamber.
