Former New York Congressman George Santos has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison following his conviction on charges of wire fraud and identity theft.
The 36-year-old, who served a brief tenure in the House before being expelled by his colleagues in late 2023, faced an initial indictment encompassing 23 counts, including various forms of fraud and falsification. While not convicted prior to his expulsion, the weight of the evidence ultimately led to his plea deal.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Santos visibly wept as Judge Joanna Seybert questioned his sincerity. “Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” she inquired, further expressing skepticism about his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions and suggesting a tendency to deflect blame.
Key Details of the Case:
- Charges: Wire fraud, identity theft, falsification of records, credit card fraud.
- Plea Deal: Santos pleaded guilty in August, admitting to deceiving campaign donors and misappropriating the identities of approximately a dozen individuals.
- Financial Penalties: He has agreed to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution.
- Expected Incarceration Date: July 26th.
Prosecutors had initially sought an 87-month sentence, a recommendation the court ultimately adopted despite defense attorneys advocating for a shorter, two-year term.
Speaking to the Associated Press on Thursday, Santos stated, “I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances. I will be in court tomorrow, ready to face the music.”
In an effort to influence the sentencing, prosecutors presented a collection of recent social media posts from Santos’ X account, arguing they demonstrated a lack of genuine regret. One post read: “No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit.”
Santos responded in a letter to the court, expressing his “profound sorry” for his criminal actions but contending that the prosecution’s request for an 87-month sentence and utilization of his social media activity as evidence were excessive. He wrote, “True remorse isn’t mute; it is aware of itself, and it speaks up when the penalty scale jumps into the absurd.”
Santos’ rise to Congress was marked by controversy. Elected in 2022 after flipping a district spanning parts of Queens and Long Island for the Republican party, his campaign included numerous demonstrably false claims about his education (attending New York University) and professional history (employment at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup), as well as fabricated narratives surrounding his family’s past. He subsequently attempted to revive his political aspirations by launching an independent bid in a neighboring district.
“I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances,” Santos reportedly said ahead of sentencing.
