Former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison on Friday, April 25, 2025, after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence marks the culmination of a series of legal troubles that led to his expulsion from Congress in December 2023.
Background and Conviction
Santos, 36, represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District for less than a year before his expulsion. He admitted to fabricating much of his personal and professional background, including false claims about his education, work history, and financial status. These fabrications were uncovered shortly after his election in 2022.
In August 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft as part of a plea deal, avoiding trial on 21 additional charges. He acknowledged using campaign funds for personal expenses, including luxury items and Botox treatments, and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen individuals to bolster his campaign contributions. Prosecutors described his actions as a “brazen web of deceit” that misled donors and voters.
Sentencing and Legal Proceedings
At the sentencing hearing in Central Islip, New York, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert expressed skepticism about Santos’s remorse, questioning, “Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” Despite his tearful apology, Judge Seybert imposed the maximum sentence of 87 months, followed by two years of supervised release.
Prosecutors had recommended the maximum sentence, citing Santos’s lack of genuine remorse and continued defiant behavior, including social media posts portraying himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach. In contrast, Santos’s attorneys argued for a two-year sentence, citing precedents involving other political figures convicted of similar financial crimes.
In addition to the prison sentence, Santos was ordered to pay nearly $375,000 in restitution and forfeit over $200,000 in illicit gains. If he cannot pay the restitution, his property may be seized.
Post-Congressional Activities
Following his expulsion from Congress, Santos attempted to maintain a public profile by launching a podcast titled “Pants on Fire” and seeking income through platforms like Cameo and OnlyFans to cover legal expenses. Two of his former campaign staffers, Sam Miele and Nancy Marks, also pleaded guilty in connection with campaign financing fraud.
Despite the legal proceedings, Santos continued to make public statements, including social media posts expressing defiance and criticizing the Justice Department. These actions were cited by prosecutors as evidence of his lack of genuine remorse.
Santos is scheduled to begin serving his sentence on July 25, 2025. His case serves as a significant example of the legal consequences stemming from ethical breaches by public officials.
