Additional Coverage:
- Ex-lawmaker George Santos faces 7-year prison sentence for federal fraud, identity theft (foxnews.com)
Disgraced former Congressman George Santos faces potentially more than seven years in prison as New York prosecutors push for a substantial sentence.
Santos, 36, pleaded guilty in August to federal fraud and identity theft charges. His plea deal followed an indictment on multiple felony counts, including stealing from campaign donors, using contributions for personal expenses, lying to Congress about his finances, and fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits while employed. He was expelled from the House of Representatives earlier this year, becoming the first Republican to be expelled from the chamber in over 150 years.
Despite the looming sentence, Santos remains defiant. He recently posted on X (formerly Twitter), “No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit.”
This followed a court filing by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York detailing the extent of Santos’s alleged crimes.
While Santos agreed to a minimum two-year sentence with sentencing expected in February, he requested a postponement. He claims he needs more time to earn money from his podcast to repay nearly $600,000 in restitution and forfeiture. Prosecutors allege Santos earned approximately $800,000 from appearances on the Cameo app, some featuring his purported drag persona, Kitara Ravache, an identity he previously denied.
Prosecutors argue that Santos’s “unparalleled crimes” warrant a significant sentence, claiming he “made a mockery” of the U.S. election system. They cite his fabricated biography, theft from donors, and insatiable desire for fame as reasons for a harsher penalty.
Furthermore, they highlight his years of unrepentance, dismissing investigations as “witch hunts,” and question the sincerity of his remorse following his guilty plea. They express concern about the “high likelihood of reoffending” given Santos has yet to forfeit any ill-gotten gains or compensate his victims.
Prosecutors suggest a sentence comparable to those given to other political figures convicted of similar financial crimes, such as former U.S. Rep.
Jesse Jackson Jr.
Santos’s lawyer, Andrew Mancilla, requested a two-year sentence, accusing prosecutors of pursuing “headlines, not justice.” He argues their 87-month recommendation ignores typical sentencing guidelines for such cases.
Santos’s expulsion from the House followed a House Ethics Committee report detailing his misuse of campaign funds, including spending on luxury goods and OnlyFans. His campaign was built on a foundation of lies, including false claims about attending New York University, working at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and his grandparents’ escape from Nazi persecution. His attempt to revive his political career as an Independent candidate in a neighboring district last year proved unsuccessful.