Disgraced former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison on Friday for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, after admitting to defrauding donors and stealing identities, including those of his own family members.
Through tears, Santos pleaded for leniency in court, saying he was “humbled” and “chastised” and apologized for betraying public trust. But U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert questioned his sincerity, stating, “Where is your remorse?” and noting that he appeared to blame others for his actions.
Santos, a New York Republican who briefly served in Congress before being expelled in 2023, will also pay around $580,000 in penalties as part of a plea deal.
Although his lawyers sought a two-year sentence, arguing it was in line with similar cases, prosecutors pushed for a harsher punishment, citing his lack of genuine remorse and recent comments on social media where he portrayed himself as a victim.
Elected in 2022, Santos had presented a fabricated biography during his campaign, falsely claiming success in business and real estate. In truth, he was facing personal financial struggles, including eviction.
Ahead of his sentencing, Santos remained active on social media, thanking both supporters and critics, reflecting on lessons learned, and even promoting his Cameo video service.
