Ex-US Rep. George Santos sentenced to over 7 years in prison for fraud and identity theft
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW YORK — Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who lied about his life story and defrauded donors, was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he heard his punishment.

“Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. She said the former politician appeared to feel that “it’s always someone else’s fault.”

The New York Republican, who served in Congress for barely a year before his House colleagues ousted him in 2023, pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. As part of a plea deal, Santos has agreed to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties in addition to prison time.

The 36-year-old didn’t respond to reporters’ shouted questions as he walked into a Long Island courthouse, but he told The Associated Press on Thursday that he’s resigned to his fate.

“I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances,” Santos wrote in a text message on Thursday, adding that he was “ready to face the music.”

Prosecutors are seeking seven years in federal prison for Santos, arguing in recent court filings that he “remains unrepentant” and has not shown genuine remorse, despite what he claims.

They cite recent comments Santos has made on social media in which he casts himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach.

In a letter to the court this week, Santos stressed that he remains “profoundly sorry” for his crimes but said prosecutors’ proposed sentence is too harsh.

Santos’ lawyers have called for a two-year prison stint, which is the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft.

They argue such a penalty is comparable to sentences handed to former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and other political figures convicted of similar financial crimes.

Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP.

Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio.

In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign.

As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective in social media posts, thanking his supporters and detractors alike.

“I learned that no matter left, right or, center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one super power that I cherish and that is compassion,” he wrote Thursday on the social platform X. “To the trolls… well you guys are an impactful part of how people shape themselves, and y’all made me much stronger and made my skin thicker!”

He also made one final plug for his Cameo account, where he records personalized video messages for $100.

“Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today,” Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
FBI violent crime arrests double in Trump's first year compared to Biden record: 'Massive strides'

FBI Violent Crime Arrests Surge Under Trump, Outpacing Biden’s First Year

On Tuesday, the FBI disclosed a significant surge in violent crime arrests…
PA man charged with attempting to make weapons of mass destruction after neighbor tip

Pennsylvania Resident Arrested After Neighbor’s Tip Leads to Foiled Weapons of Mass Destruction Plot

Authorities have apprehended a man in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as part of a…
Woman dies in NJ senior home fire that injures 8 police officers

Tragic NJ Senior Home Fire Claims Life, Injures 8 Brave Officers: A Community in Mourning

An early morning blaze erupted at a senior housing facility in New…
Jalen Brunson-less Knicks fall on road to Timberwolves

Knicks Struggle Without Jalen Brunson: Timberwolves Dominate in Road Showdown

MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle had been relatively quiet, managing just 3-of-11 shooting…
Repeat offender allegedly kills Ohio man just days after nonprofit pays his bail

Nonprofit Faces Scrutiny After Releasing Repeat Offender Accused in Fatal Attack Days Later

The Bail Project calls family of repeat offender The Bail Project, a…
Guilty verdicts in ISIS plot police say could have been 'the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history'

Unveiling the Guilty Verdicts: Inside the Foiled ISIS Plot That Almost Shook the UK

An ISIS-inspired terror scheme targeting the Jewish community in Manchester has heightened…
Texts after Anna Kepner’s mysterious cruise ship death show family scrambling to clamp down on info

Unveiling the Mystery: The Kepner Family’s Secretive Struggle Following Anna’s Cruise Ship Tragedy

Recently unveiled court documents have provided further insights into the family’s actions…
New Netflix documentary shows how families deal with loss after a school shooting

Heartfelt Netflix Documentary Explores Family Resilience in the Aftermath of School Shootings

Bryan Muehlberger’s life was forever changed when his 15-year-old daughter, Gracie, lost…
Los Angeles, California crash: Woman rams SUV into would-be burglary crew's getaway car | Video

Heroic Act: Los Angeles Woman Stops Burglars by Crashing SUV into Their Getaway Car – Watch the Video

LOS ANGELES — A gripping surveillance video captures a dramatic scene as…
Lil Zay Osama, Ceasefire make Christmas 2025 brighter for Corshawnda Hatter, kids attacked near Chicago's Bright Elementary School

Rapper Lil Zay Osama and Ceasefire Bring Joy to Chicago Kids with Festive 2025 Celebration

CALUMET PARK, Ill. (WLS) — Corshawnda Hatter is struggling to heal from…
Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting incident, gunman also dead with no active threat: officials

Tragic Shooting at Delaware DMV: State Trooper and Gunman Confirmed Dead, No Ongoing Threat

A tragic event unfolded at a Division of Motor Vehicles building in…
Brown University police chief placed on leave after deadly shooting as Trump admin opens investigation

Brown University Police Chief Suspended Amid Investigation into Fatal Shooting Linked to Trump Administration

Brown University has placed its police chief on administrative leave following a…