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

After Government Opposition, Mahmoud Khalil Finally Gets to Hold His Newborn for First Time

NEW YORK (AP) — Detained Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was granted the…
Pregnant news anchor on set.

TV Anchor Olivia Jaquith Gives Birth to First Child After Experiencing Labor While Broadcasting Live

A NEWS anchor who went into labor while on air has given…
Woman showing off engagement ring at restaurant.

4-Year-Old Left Orphaned After Parents Die in Separate Car Crashes Just Hours Apart; Father Passed While Heading to Mother’s Collision Scene

A MOTHER lost her life in a car accident, and her fiancé…
Military spouse and mom of 5 fights back as vaccine dispute blocks family's permanent change of station

Military Mom of Five Challenges Vaccine Conflict That Halts Family’s Transfer

Amanda Johnson, a Marine spouse and homeschooling mother of five, including twins…
Stephen A. Smith breaks out Pepto-Bismol for epic Knicks rant

Stephen A. Smith Uses Pepto-Bismol as Prop in His Dramatic Rant About the Knicks

The Knicks’ Game 1 loss on Wednesday was so devastating that it…
Florida crews continue search for missing kayaker in St. Johns River

Search Efforts Persist for Missing Kayaker in St. Johns River, Florida

Florida Fish & Wildlife reports Jeremiah Beck disappeared while kayaking out to…
Video shows moment suspected gunman outside Jewish Museum is arrested while shouting ‘Free free Palestine’ as witnesses describe helping him before realizing he was the killer

Video Captures Suspected Shooter’s Arrest Outside Jewish Museum Amid Shouts of ‘Free Palestine’, Witnesses Recall Assisting Unaware He was the Attacker

The suspected shooter, who fatally shot two Israeli Embassy staff members, was…
Small plane crash in a neighborhood at night.

Aircraft Collides in San Diego Neighborhood, Igniting Multiple Cars and Homes with Debris Scattered Across Road

A PLANE has crashed in San Diego with reports of multiple cars…
FBI investigating killing of Israeli Embassy employees as possible hate crime

FBI Probes Possible Hate Crime in Killing of Israeli Embassy Staff

The FBI is exploring the possibility of a hate crime in the…

British Woman Forcibly Removed from Ryanair Flight After Alleged Assault and Bomb Threat

THIS is the moment a British woman was dragged off a flight…
Louisiana police arrest third accomplice in Orleans Parish jailbreak

Third Suspect Apprehended by Louisiana Police in Orleans Parish Jailbreak

A third suspected collaborator has been apprehended in relation to one of…
Florida woman charged after allegedly attacking 72-year-old Trump supporter wearing MAGA hat

Florida Woman Accused of Attacking 72-Year-Old Trump Supporter in MAGA Hat

Authorities in Florida have charged a woman with several offenses after she…