Former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to 87 months, more than seven years, in prison on Friday and reportedly left sobbing as a judge announced the decision. The judge gave Santos until July 25 to surrender to authorities and begin his sentence.
Santos was also ordered to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties, including $370,000 in restitution and more than $200,000 in forfeiture.
It’s far more than the minimum sentence of two years Santos had asked for as he was charged with federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft that prosecutors say happened during his 2022 run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
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The U.S. Justice Department will likely welcome the sentence as it sought a more than seven-year prison term for Santos.
Santos pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2024.
What does the sentence stem from?
Santos admitted to lying to donors and stealing the identities of multiple people, including his own family, to fund his initial campaign, which ultimately was successful.
Prosecutors said Santos’ victims included a woman with brain damage and two men with dementia. They also pointed out that Santos acknowledged in recent days he never intended to reimburse the victims anytime soon. Prosecutors said he would spend the money he scammed his victims out of on lavish clothing and vacations.
How did Santos respond?
During the sentencing hearing, Santos said, “I offer my deepest apologies.” He continued, “I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. I have tried my best.”
Santos also said that he “betrayed the confidence entrusted in me” before the judge.
What did the judge say?
U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert didn’t buy it.
“Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” Seybert said.
Seybert also noted that while Santos was making money from appearances on social media platforms like Cameo, it’s “incredible” that he didn’t attempt to open an account to pay back the victims he stole from. He said he continued to lie and blame the government for his circumstances. Seybert said of Santos, “It’s always someone else’s fault.”
What did his defense attorney argue?
Santos’ defense attorney tried to argue the former representative faced struggles, including coming from a “broken house” and being the victim of bullying as a gay man.
“He built the man he wanted to be, not who he was. Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring and thoughtful,” Andrew Mancilla, Santos’ lawyer, said. Mancilla also noted that now, “everyone hates George Santos.”
Who is George Santos?
The former New York congressman won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican before being ousted in 2023 following a House Ethics Committee finding of “uncharged and unlawful conduct” by Santos. Santos, who represented Queens and Long Island, New York, attempted to run as an independent for another district following his ouster.
