GOP Rep. George Santos hit with criminal charges by Justice Department: CNN

• Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against Rep. George Santos, CNN and ABC reported Tuesday.
• It's unclear what the charges were. A rep for Santos didn't respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department has filed criminal charges against Republican Rep. George Santos, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing three people familiar with the case. ABC News confirmed the report.

It's unclear what the charges are. CNN reported they were filed under seal and that the New York congressman is expected to appear in federal court as soon as Wednesday. The outlet said federal prosecutors were investigating campaign finance filings, among other things.

Following his election last November, a stream of news reports — which were largely set off by a bombshell New York Times report — revealed that Santos had told numerous lies about his background during his campaign, which included fabrications related to his education, work history, and family background.

The Justice Department and the Brooklyn US Attorney's Office did not comment when reached by Insider.

A representative for Santos did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

After winning a competitive race in New York's 3rd Congressional District, which includes northeast Queens and much of northern Nassau County, Santos readied himself to serve in the nation's capital as part of a razor-thin Republican House majority.

But the revelations about Santos' background convinced many Long Islanders — including local Republicans who had backed his candidacy — to call for his resignation.

The congressman firmly rejected the pleas and has pledged to serve out his term in office. Last month, he announced that he would seek reelection in 2024, despite the firestorm surrounding his tenure in office.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California had not previously asked for Santos for resign, stating that the House Ethics Committee should be able to conduct their probe and determine the congressman's political fate.