Ex-congressman George Santos faces up to 8 years for spending campaign funds on Botox & OnlyFans

George Santos, the former Republican congressman embroiled in scandal, is facing a significant prison term after admitting guilt to two federal fraud charges.

At 36, Santos appeared in a Central Islip, New York, courtroom where he confessed to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. His offenses included stealing campaign staff identities and misappropriating campaign funds.

The judge indicated that Santos could receive a prison sentence ranging from six to eight years. This guilty plea marks a significant fall from grace for Santos, who was expelled from Congress last year following a troubled and controversial tenure.

In a statement read in court, Santos expressed deep regret for his actions and accepted full responsibility. This plea contradicts his previous denials concerning charges of lying to Congress and misusing campaign contributions for personal purposes. According to his plea agreement, Santos is required to repay at least $374,000 (£288,000).

The charge of aggravated identity theft mandates a two-year prison term to be served consecutively with any sentence for the wire fraud charge. In court, Santos admitted to theft and improperly applying for unemployment benefits. He also acknowledged providing false information and omissions on financial statements to the House Ethics Committee and the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Santos was originally charged with 23 federal felonies, including wire fraud, money laundering, and misuse of campaign funds. In December, he became the first member of Congress to be expelled in over two decades and only the sixth in history. His brief congressional career was marred by numerous controversies, false claims, and allegations of fraud.

Santos won his seat in 2022 by defeating a Democratic incumbent in New York’s Long Island and Queens district. However, he faced scrutiny for allegedly falsifying details about his Wall Street career, education, Jewish heritage, and his mother’s death in the 9/11 attacks. The House Ethics Committee initiated an investigation in 2023, focusing on alleged unlawful activities during his 2022 campaign, false statements to Congress, and sexual misconduct.

Federal prosecutors later charged him with 13 offenses, including wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds. Additional charges were added, accusing him of stealing identities and misusing campaign donor credit cards. The ethics report also revealed that Santos misused campaign funds for personal luxuries, including Botox treatments, credit card debts, and subscriptions to adult content on OnlyFans.

Two former aides have already pleaded guilty to fraud related to Santos' campaign. Santos' sentencing is set for February 7.