US politician George Santos pleads not guilty to fraud and theft charges

US congressman George Santos has pleaded not guilty to fraud and theft charges (Alex Brandon/AP/PA)

US Representative George Santos has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging a financial fraud at the heart of a political campaign built on dubious boasts about his personal wealth and business success.

Mr Santos – the New York Republican whose biography began to unravel after his election last autumn – is accused of duping donors, stealing campaign funds, lying to Congress and cheating to collect unemployment benefits he did not deserve.