Santos, celebrities targeted for fraud

A former congressman, celebrities and one famous athlete’s relative were targets of an alleged scam artist pretending to be a fixer, according to Brooklyn federal prosecutors.

Special Agent Kenneth Hosey of the FBI filed a criminal complaint and affidavit in support of the arrest of Hector Medina Jr., also known as “Michael Soto,” of El Paso, Texas, for wire fraud. The defendant made an appearance in federal court in his home state for prior alleged fraudulent activity last Wednesday, according to court documents.

According to the complaint, which was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Medina allegedly tried to bilk the notable figures and their family members who faced legal troubles of upward of $1 million each to make their troubles go away. After an investigation, the FBI determined that he was trying to settle a gambling debt of more than $100,000.

Victim 1, described as the representative of the 3rd Congressional district from January to December of 2023, according to the complaint, is the beleaguered George Santos, who was ousted from office last year after being charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-EDNY, for conspiracy, wire fraud, false statements, falsification of records, aggravated identity theft and credit fraud. Santos recently announced a new run for Congress, against U.S. Rep. Nick Lalota (R-Sufflok).

In his deposition, Hosey said communication between Medina and the elected official was obtained during the investigation. In one message, Medina allegedly promised to help the elected official, who represented Northern Queens, with his legal troubles if a deal was cut because he knew prosecutors and judges throughout the country. In a later message he requested $900,000 be wired to him.

“My name is Mike Soto,” read one message from July 2023. “You don’t know me, but I wanted you to see a face and trust me on what I’m about to tell you … If you’re interested, I can get everything dropped, evidence that is on you removed, disappeared. Reach out to me if you’re interested. It’s simple, yes or no. Thank you.”

Based on a review of Medina’s iCloud account, he also allegedly attempted to defraud an actor, the actor’s spouse, a musician and a professional athlete’s relative, according to the complaint.

According to multiple reports, Danny Masterson of “That ’70s Show” fame was the actor who was later convicted of felonies in California on May 2023, whom Medina allegedly tried to help for a $1 million fee. Masterson’s spouse at the time was actress Bijou Phillips.

“… my name is Mike and I offer a unique opportunity,” said a text to Phillips. “I can get your husband [Individual-2] out of jail, or at least time served by his next court date, I work with people and the court prosecutors judges. Now this has to stay between us.”

Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two felony counts of rape.

If convicted, Medina, who the government said has prior convictions for theft and fraud, could face up to 20 years in prison. He turned himself in in El Paso on March 6 and will appear in Brooklyn Federal Court at a later date, New York prosecutors said. U.S. Attorney Andrew Grubin has been assigned to prosecute the case.