Ex-Congressman George Santos arrived to federal prison Friday, kicking off his seven year sentence.
A representative for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed to the Daily Mail that Santos turned himself in at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fairton in New Jersey on Friday afternoon.
He was mandated as part of his plea agreement earlier this summer to report to prison by 2 p.m. local time. Despite his vocal attempts to receive clemency from President Donald Trump, he has now begun his prison sentence.
The former New York Republican received an 87-month prison sentence for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud during his short time on Capitol Hill. Known for fabricating stories, he falsely claimed to have worked on Wall Street, played collegiate volleyball, and being an heir to a real estate fortune.
Santos, 37, took office in January 2023, becoming the first openly gay Republican to be elected. He was expelled later that year after his web of lies began to unfurl.
Prosecutors presented evidence of Santos spending political donations on Botox, designer clothes, casino holidays, and OnlyFans fees. He was also ordered to pay at least $373,749.97 in restitution and forfeit over $200,000, according to a plea agreement he made last year.
Since his sentencing, Santos has been vying for President Donald Trump to commute his sentence – as evidenced by long rants he’s posted to social media claiming he is the victim of unfair legal prosecution.
But as the clock ticked down on his time as a free man, the ex-congressman began posting with a tone indicating he is resigned to his fate behind bars. ‘Well, darlings…The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,’ he posted on Thursday.
‘Well, darlings…The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,’ Santos posted on Thursday along with this picture. He reported to federal prison in New York on Friday afternoon,
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives for a court hearing at U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York Long Island Courthouse on August 19, 2024 in West Islip, New York
He said in court in last August: ‘I am committed to making amends and learning from this experience’
‘From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been,’ he wrote. ‘I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit.’
Another post included Frank Sinatra’s hit ‘My Way,’ a ballad to forging a unique path in life, no matter the twists and turns. ‘And now the end is near/and so I face the final curtain,’ its symbolic lines ring.
The former lawmaker said Thursday he’s bringing a pocket Constitution, a Bible, and a notepad to prison, though he does not know if they will allow the personal effects.
Federal prosecutors indicted Santos for defrauding his own political supporters the same year he took office.
He took their donations and moved them into his own bank accounts, later using the funds on a slew of personal expenses, prosecutors claimed.
Santos also as alleged to have fraudulently applied for COVID pandemic benefits despite not meeting the qualifications, the feds said.
In addition, the ex-lawmaker lied on his campaign paperwork to qualify for funding from the Republican Party, prosecutors alleged. He also was accused of using his donor’s payment information to make contributions in their name to his campaign.
Wind of his misdeeds were first laid bare in an explosive report from the House Committee on Ethics.
‘Representative Santos’ conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House,’ the committees report stated.
Santos pathologically lied about his life when running for Congress in 2022. The tall tales were not revealed until after the election and he was later expelled from Congress
The disgraced congressman has wildly accused his former colleagues of conspiring against him to ensure he does not receive clemency.
Santos claimed Republican Reps. Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Nicole Malliotakis, Nick Langworthy, Max Miller, and Mike Lawler, have been advocating against him.
Whether Trump will intervene for Santos remains unclear.
The 37-year-old has posted cryptic and alarming messages online since pleading guilty in April.
‘The statistics around what happens to gay men in BOP (Federal Bureau of Prisons) custody are horrifying, and that’s exactly why I’m putting this out there now. So if something does happen, there’s no confusion. I did not kill myself,’ he wrote in early July.
‘I have no intentions of harming myself, and I will not willingly engage in any sexual activity while I’m in there. If anything comes out suggesting otherwise, consider it a lie…full stop,’ the statement continued.
At his sentencing the judge noted how Santos appeared unrepentant for his actions and crimes.
‘Where is your remorse? U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert asked Santos during the Friday sentencing. ‘Where do I see it?’
With the disgraced lawmaker, the judge said, ‘it’s always someone else’s fault.’
Santos wept as he told the court he felt ‘humbled’ and realized he had betrayed his constituents’ trust.
‘I offer my deepest apologies,’ he said, adding: ‘I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.’
