Ex-lawmaker George Santos faces 7-year prison sentence in wire fraud, ID theft case
Disgraced former Rep. George Santos could face more than seven years in prison if New York prosecutors have their way. Santos, 36, was expelled from the House after pleading guilty to federal fraud and identity theft charges in August as part of a plea deal. He had been indicted on felony charges, making him the first Republican to be expelled from the chamber.
The former lawmaker was found to have stolen from political donors, used campaign contributions for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth, and collected unemployment benefits while actually working. Despite the charges against him, Santos remains defiant, stating on social media that the Department of Justice will never break his spirit.
Santos has already agreed to serve a minimum of two years in prison and was expected to be sentenced in February. However, he requested a postponement until he can generate enough income from his podcast to pay the nearly $600,000 he owes in restitution and forfeiture. Prosecutors revealed that Santos had earned around $800,000 from appearances on the Cameo app, charging $350 for videos featuring his drag alter ego Kitara Ravache. This was a stark contrast to his previous denial of dressing as a drag queen or associating with drag queens.
Prosecutors argued that Santos deserves a significant sentence due to his “unparalleled crimes” that undermined the country’s election system. They accused him of creating a fictitious biography, stealing from vulnerable donors, and showing no remorse for his actions. They also suggested that Santos has a high likelihood of reoffending as he has not repaid any of his victims or forfeited his ill-gotten gains.
Santos’ legal team, however, requested a two-year sentence, claiming that prosecutors were pushing a false narrative. They criticized the government’s demand for an 87-month sentence as vindictive and not in line with sentencing norms for similar cases.
Despite being expelled from the House for misusing campaign funds on luxury items and OnlyFans, Santos attempted to relaunch his political career by running as an Independent in a neighboring district last year. His campaign was marred by false claims about his education, work experience, and family background.
Once touted as a rising political star after flipping a suburban district in Long Island, Santos’ fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of deceit and corruption in politics. As he awaits sentencing, his future remains uncertain, with the possibility of a lengthy prison term hanging over his head.
