Update Jun 1, 2023: George Santos's remote appearance in a Brazillian court, without being physically "in Brazil", will not count; this market will resolve NO if he doesn't physically appear by the end date of the market.
This market will resolve YES if prior to EOD December 31, 2024, according to reliable sources, Rep.-elect George Santos personally appears in court in Brazil or is otherwise in judicial or law enforcement custody in Brazil in relation to fraud charges approved in 2011 or any related charges. Otherwise, it will resolve NO.
The New York Times reports that in 2011, a judge in Brazil approved fraud charges against now-Rep.-elect George Santos and ordered him to respond to those charges.
The New York Times further reports that "Brazilian law enforcement authorities intend to revive fraud charges against Mr. Santos, and will seek his formal response, prosecutors said on Monday." Furthermore, the Times reports that:
The next step for Brazilian prosecutors is to file a petition when the courts reopen at the end of the week requesting that Mr. Santos respond to the charges against him. A judge would then share the request, called a rogatory letter, with the federal Justice Ministry in Brazil, which would share it with the U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the Justice Department nor Brazilian authorities can compel Mr. Santos to respond at this point. But Mr. Santos must be officially notified in order for the case to proceed.
A criminal conviction, even for a felony, is not on its own an act that would disqualify a congressional member from holding office. The last time a member of Congress was removed from office for breaking the law was in 2002, when James A. Traficant Jr. was removed from the House after his conviction on felony racketeering and corruption charges.
If Mr. Santos does not present a defense in the Brazilian case, he will be tried in absentia. If found guilty, Mr. Santos could receive up to five years in prison, plus a fine.
Related questions
I have decided that George Santos's video appearance in a Brazillian court, without being physically "in Brazil", will not count; this market will resolve NO if he doesn't physically appear by the end date of the market. (I kind of philosophically don't like N/A resolutions.)
If any of the current YES positions (@Orngin, @Botlab, @acc) feel this is unfair, I'll give them mana corresponding to their current position size.
The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/11/nyregion/george-santos-brazil-checks.html) reports that:
"A day after Representative George Santos was charged in a 13-count federal indictment, the embattled first-term congressman of New York appeared in court again on Thursday for a hearing that had a far different outcome.
Mr. Santos and Brazilian prosecutors on Thursday agreed to resolve a criminal charge that involved a pair of shoes and a stolen checkbook. Mr. Santos, who appeared remotely, accepted responsibility for his actions and agreed to pay 24,000 Brazilian reais (about $4,850), some of which will go to the victim, and some to charity, according to documents viewed by The New York Times."
I don't think this should count as him appearing "in court or in custody in Brazil" for the purposes of this market, though I think it's a close question. Does Zooming into Brazilian court count as "appearing in court ... in Brazil"?
@octothorpe I think this is N/A if nothing further happens before closing date. He appeared in a Brazilian court but not in Brazil.