George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years for Fraud, Identity Theft/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Disgraced ex-Rep. George Santos has been sentenced to over seven years in prison for wire fraud and identity theft. He pleaded guilty to defrauding donors and stealing identities during his 2022 campaign. The judge cited his lack of remorse.
George Santos Sentenced for Fraud and Identity Theft: Quick Looks
- Prison Sentence: Former U.S. Rep. George Santos received 87 months (over 7 years) in prison.
- Federal Crimes: He pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a campaign finance scheme.
- Lack of Remorse: Judge Joanna Seybert criticized Santos for blaming others and showing no genuine regret.
- Restitution Ordered: Santos must also pay $580,000 in penalties as part of his plea deal.
- Political Collapse: Santos was expelled from Congress in 2023 after widespread revelations of deception.
- Social Media Reflection: Before sentencing, Santos thanked supporters—and critics—and promoted his Cameo account.
George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years for Fraud, Identity Theft
Deep Look
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Former U.S. Representative George Santos, once a rising Republican star and now a symbol of political scandal, was sentenced Friday to 87 months in federal prison for orchestrating a brazen fraud scheme that deceived donors and stole personal identities—including those of his own family members.
Santos, 36, sobbed in court as U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert handed down the sentence. The judge criticized Santos not only for his actions but for his attitude throughout the process.
“Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” Seybert asked. “It’s always someone else’s fault.”
The judge pointed to what she described as Santos’ persistent deflection of responsibility and his public statements downplaying the seriousness of the crimes.
A Campaign Built on Lies
Santos, who briefly represented a New York district covering parts of Queens and Long Island, rose to office in 2022 after flipping a traditionally Democratic seat. His narrative—of being a self-made entrepreneur with Wall Street experience—unraveled quickly after his election.
Investigations revealed Santos had fabricated most of his resume, misrepresented his heritage and education, and was deeply in debt at the time of his campaign. Worse, he had stolen the identities of at least 10 people, including donors and family members, to fuel his political rise.
Federal prosecutors described Santos as “unrepentant,” noting that even after pleading guilty, he continued to portray himself as a victim of overreach in public statements.
“He remains unrepentant and shows no genuine remorse,” prosecutors wrote.
A Fall From Grace
Once expelled from Congress in December 2023, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a deal that included nearly $580,000 in restitution and penalties.
Despite his courtroom tears, prosecutors pushed for a harsh sentence, citing his misuse of public trust and calculated deception. They sought over seven years, which the court granted.
Santos’ attorneys had requested the mandatory minimum of two years, comparing his case to that of former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who served time for misusing campaign funds.
A Message From the Judge—and the Public
“This isn’t just about money. This is about the integrity of our institutions,” she said.
Outside the courthouse, a small crowd of onlookers and former constituents gathered, some holding signs that read “Liar in Chief” and “No One is Above the Law.”
Still on Cameo
In the days leading up to his sentencing, Santos remained active on social media, posting reflections and even promoting his Cameo account, where he sells personalized video messages for $100.
“Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today,” he wrote on X, ending the post with heart emojis.
Santos also appeared to reach out to both supporters and critics:
“To the trolls… y’all made me stronger and made my skin thicker!” he added.
The former lawmaker, once celebrated by Republicans for flipping a key district, now joins a small but infamous list of federal lawmakers who have served time for criminal offenses.
His final words in court before sentencing:
“I take full responsibility. I’m deeply sorry for the people I hurt.”
Whether the apology swayed anyone remained unclear.
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