Former US Congressman George Santos faces 7 years sentencing for fraud
Former US Congressman George Santos is set to be sentenced this week after pleading guilty to 23 federal felony counts, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence of seven years and three months, portraying Santos as a “pathological liar” who misused campaign funds and misled voters.
In response to the news, Santos posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Soon. 🙏🏻
Santos, once hailed as a symbol of Republican diversity as an openly gay Latine lawmaker, flipped a Democratic district in New York during the 2022 midterms.
However, his political rise quickly unravelled amid revelations of extensive falsehoods and financial misconduct.
Prosecutors allege Santos used donor contributions to finance a lavish personal lifestyle, including purchases from high-end brands, gambling expenses, cosmetic procedures, and a subscription to adult content site OnlyFans.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused him of showing “a strong risk of recidivism and a lack of remorse.”
A letter filed by Santos on 22 April expressed remorse for his actions, arguing that “true remorse isn’t mute.”
However, federal prosecutors cited his ongoing social media activity as contradictory to these claims.
In posts following the government’s sentencing recommendation, Santos denied wrongdoing and accused the DOJ of targeting him while allowing “sex traffickers and drug lords” to “walk freely.”
These insane accusation all done via “anonymous” sourcing is not going to stick…
Name names or stop the Witch hunt of the secretary of defense! https://t.co/js3uj2IjwCIn their latest filing, the DOJ said Santos’s actions suggest defiance, not accountability. “Put plainly,” prosecutors wrote, “Santos is not genuinely remorseful.” They warned his conduct could lead to the loss of any sentencing reduction granted for his guilty plea.
Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December 2023 following a bipartisan vote, has since monetised his notoriety through Cameo videos and a podcast. In 2024, he also publicly revived his drag persona, Kitara Ravache, despite earlier denials of ever performing in drag.
His sentencing, scheduled for 25 April, will be overseen by US District Judge Joanna Seybert in New York.
As of now, Santos has not publicly responded to the DOJ’s latest filing, though he remains active on social media.
Whether his next chapter unfolds from behind bars will soon be decided.