George Santos, the former New York Republican congressman, has been sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. His meteoric rise to fame was matched only by the speed of his downfall.
Santos’s troubles began when he was expelled from Congress in December 2023, becoming the sixth person in history to suffer this fate. The expulsion came after it was discovered that he had lied about his background and engaged in various forms of financial misconduct.
The Charges Against Santos
Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft, admitting that he had lied about his background and stolen identities to boost his campaign. Prosecutors presented evidence that Santos had used campaign contributions to make luxury purchases, including buying designer clothing from stores like Hermès. They argued that Santos showed a “strong lack of remorse” and would likely commit similar crimes again ¹.
A Lack of Remorse
Despite his guilty plea, Santos continued to post on social media, portraying himself as a victim and claiming that the Department of Justice was trying to “kill him on the inside.” Prosecutors saw this as a sign of Santos’s lack of remorse and argued that it demonstrated his need for a significant prison sentence.
The Sentence
The judge ultimately agreed with prosecutors, sentencing Santos to 87 months in prison. Santos was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $373,749.97 and $205,002.97 in forfeiture. As Santos prepares to serve his time, his case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of corruption and dishonesty in politics.
Life After Congress
Since his expulsion from Congress, Santos has attempted to capitalize on his notoriety by starting a podcast called “Pants on Fire” and joining platforms like Cameo and OnlyFans. These endeavors have likely been aimed at raising money to cover his legal bills and fines. However, it’s unclear whether these ventures will be successful in the long run.
