Former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison on Friday, following his guilty plea to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentencing marked a dramatic fall from grace for the New York Republican, whose tenure in Congress was marred by fabricated life stories and fraudulent fundraising activities.
Santos, who served barely a year in the House of Representatives before being expelled in 2023, appeared in U.S. District Court, where he made a tearful plea for leniency.
He told Judge Joanna Seybert that he was “humbled” and “chastised,” acknowledging the breach of trust he committed against his constituents. “I offer my deepest apologies,” Santos stated, adding, “I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.”
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However, Judge Seybert remained unconvinced by Santos’s expressions of remorse. During the sentencing, she questioned his sincerity, asking, “Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” She characterized Santos’s behavior as indicative of someone who consistently shifted blame onto others.
The judge’s skepticism stemmed from Santos’s pattern of deception, which included fabricating significant portions of his personal and professional history. His fraudulent activities extended to defrauding campaign donors, leading to the federal charges against him.
Santos’s legal troubles began to unravel shortly after his election, when investigations revealed numerous inconsistencies and outright lies about his background. The revelations triggered widespread condemnation and ultimately led to his expulsion from Congress.
Santos must report to prison by July 26th.
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