George Santos begs court for the freedom to travel for 'dining and shopping'

CBS News Reporter Scott MacFarlane reported Wednesday that Rep. George Santos (R-NY) had been forced to ask his pre-trial court for travel freedoms since he's still serving in Congress.

The Santos defense lawyers asked the court to loosen the restriction on his movements, specifically allowing him to move through the 30-mile radius of Washington, D.C.

The lawyers explained that Santos needs this to conduct normal activities "such as dining, shopping, meetings, events, and even use of the local airports."

"Airports? For a Cinnabon?" asked legal analyst Allison Gill. The freedom to access an airport presents a question of whether he would use the airport to flee the country.

Currently, Santos is restricted to travel inside D.C., New York's Long Island and New York City as he awaits trial on 13 counts including wire fraud, money laundering, lying to the House and theft of public funds.

"In light of the small geographical area of the District of Columbia, there is a frequent need to travel outside the District of Columbia for usual and customary functions of someone who lives and works in the District of Columbia, such as dining, shopping, meetings, events, and even use of the local airports," Joseph Murray, Santos' lawyer, said in a letter to the court.

One of Santos' opponents, Anna Kaplan, tweeted, "New Yorkers deserve a Representative who does not need to ask for court permission to travel."

The request comes after Democrats moved to force a censure vote on Santos for his misleading comments about his past.

“It is sad that George Santos continues to walk the halls of this hallowed institution, given that he is only here based on lies and deceit,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) said.

“The breadth and depth of his deception is so staggering that it cries out for Congressional punishment,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY).

Three Republicans appear to be ready to vote against Santos in the censure.

A May report in GQ revealed that Santos has a "bad case of the shoppies," citing complaints from prosecutors. The government case alleged Santos used campaign funds for “luxury designer clothing and credit card payments.”

"Within his first chaotic week on the House floor, he made a show of hobnobbing with fellow lightning-bolt Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz in his thick-rimmed Ray-Bans frames and a Cartier Santos watch, which Forbes joked could be a knockoff," wrote GQ.

He reportedly gave the New York Young Republican Club president a Ferragamo tie. Ferragamo appears to be one of his favorite brands. On "sneaker day" at the Capitol, Santos told Raw Story that his bright red shoes with black laces were Ferragamos. Semafor reporter Kadia Goba captured them in a photo and video.