George Santos claims his family members were the ones who bailed him out of federal custody

George Santos (R-NY) on Friday appealed a judge's order to release the names of the people who helped bail him out of federal custody, saying the people who put up the money were family members, The New York Times reported.

The House Ethics Committee last month asked Santos to disclose the names to see if the $500,000 bail guarantee violated House ethics rules regarding gifts. Santos’ lawyer argued ethics rules provide an exception for family members and that releasing the names would subject them to threats and harassment.

“Defendant has essentially publicly revealed that the suretors are family members and not lobbyists, donors or others seeking to exert influence over the defendant," Santos' lawyer Joseph Murray argued.

Santos is facing 13 felony counts including money laundering and wire fraud and has pleaded not guilty.

Read the full report over at The New York Times.