George Santos, the New York congressman who rose to prominence for a string of exaggerations, lies, and irregularities related to his personal background and campaign finances, pleaded not guilty after being hit with a series of federal charges. Mr Santos was arrested after surrendering himself to authorities at a federal court on Long Island on Wednesday morning. The indictment, which was unsealed on Wednesday, alleges a series of fraudulent schemes over several years. Mr Santos has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. Many local Republicans had already called for Mr Santos to resign, but their colleagues in the House of Representatives have been more reluctant.