Ex-US Rep. George Santos sentenced to 7+ years behind bars
Ex-US Rep. George Santos sentenced to 7+ years behind bars
Disgraced former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison on Friday in a federal court proceeding.
LONG ISLAND - Disgraced former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison on Friday in a federal court proceeding.
George Santos sentencing
The New York Republican, who served in Congress for barely a year before being ousted in 2023 by his House colleagues, pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. As part of a plea deal, Santos has agreed to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties in addition to prison time.
What they're saying:
Prosecutors were seeking seven years in federal prison for Santos, arguing in recent court filings that he "remains unrepentant" and has not shown genuine remorse, despite what he claimed
They cited recent comments Santos had made on social media in which he cast himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach.
In a letter to the court this week, Santos stressed that he remained "profoundly sorry" for his crimes but objected to the sentence being sought, which he said is overly harsh.
The other side:
Santos’ lawyers had called for a two-year prison stint, which is the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) arrives at the U.S. Capitol for a vote on May 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York have charged Santos in a 13-count indictment that includes seven
They argued such a penalty was comparable to sentences handed to former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and other political figures convicted of similar financial crimes.
The backstory:
Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP.
Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio.
In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign.
George Santos, former Representative from New York, center, departs federal court in Central Islip, New York, US, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Santos is requesting a partially anonymous jury while federal prosecutors are pushing to admit as evidence so
As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective in social media posts, thanking his supporters and detractors alike.
"I learned that no matter left, right or, center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one super power that I cherish and that is compassion," he wrote Thursday on the social platform X. "To the trolls… well you guys are an impactful part of how people shape themselves, and y’all made me much stronger and made my skin thicker!"
He also made one final plug for his Cameo account, where he records personalized video messages for $100.
"Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today," Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis.