In a dramatic turn of events, disgraced former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on Friday in Central Islip, New York. The sentencing came after Santos pleaded guilty to serious charges of federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft last summer. As he heard the verdict, Santos was visibly emotional, sobbing as he faced the court. In a bid for leniency, he expressed remorse, claiming that he was “humbled” and “chastised,” acknowledging his betrayal of his constituents’ trust.
“I offer my deepest apologies,” Santos stated, adding, “I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.” However, his pleas fell on deaf ears with U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert, who questioned his sincerity. “Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” she asked, emphasizing that Santos seemed to believe the blame lay elsewhere.
The New York Republican served in Congress for less than a year before being expelled by his peers in 2023 due to his extensive fabrications. Santos admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen individuals, including family members, to finance his campaign. As part of a plea agreement, he has also committed to paying approximately $580,000 in penalties in addition to serving time.
At 36 years old, Santos did not respond to reporters' questions as he arrived at the Long Island courthouse. However, he conveyed through a text message to The Associated Press that he had come to terms with his situation, stating, “I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances” and expressed that he was “ready to face the music.”
Prosecutors argued for the 87-month sentence, raising concerns about Santos’ apparent lack of remorse, especially in light of his recent social media posts where he portrayed himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach. Prosecutor Ryan Harris pointed out that several of Santos' victims were particularly vulnerable, including a woman with brain damage and two elderly men suffering from dementia. Harris also noted Santos' reluctance to promptly repay victims, stating, “People think of this as a victimless crime because it’s about money. There are many victims in this crime.”
New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon addressed the court as a victim, highlighting that Santos had collected unemployment benefits while being employed by a Florida company.
Santos’ legal team requested a two-year prison sentence, the mandatory minimum for aggravated identity theft. Defense attorney Andrew Mancilla characterized Santos as a troubled individual shaped by adversity. He recounted how Santos grew up in a “broken house” and faced bullying throughout his life. Mancilla argued that Santos created a false persona out of a belief that he would not be accepted for who he truly was. “Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring, and thoughtful,” Mancilla stated, but acknowledged the overwhelming negativity directed at Santos, saying, “now everyone hates George Santos.”
Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district that includes parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Shortly after his election, investigations revealed that he had fabricated much of his life story, falsely presenting himself as a successful business owner with a prestigious background in Wall Street and a significant real estate portfolio. In reality, Santos was struggling financially and faced eviction, which led to congressional inquiries and criminal investigations into the funding of his campaign.
As the sentencing date approached, Santos reflected on his experiences in social media posts, thanking both supporters and detractors. He remarked, “I learned that no matter left, right, or center, we are all humans… and we have one superpower that I cherish, and that is compassion.” Santos also addressed his critics, stating, “To the trolls… you guys are an impactful part of how people shape themselves, and y’all made me much stronger and made my skin thicker!”
In a final attempt to connect with his audience, Santos promoted his Cameo account, where he offers personalized video messages for $100, encouraging people to book him for upcoming celebrations.
Associated Press writer Jake Offenhartz contributed to this story, highlighting the complex narrative of George Santos—a figure whose political career has been marred by deception and betrayal.
