Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting to deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign.
Prosecutors sought a seven-year sentence, arguing Santos showed no genuine remorse, while his defense requested a two-year sentence, the mandatory minimum for aggravated identity theft, comparing it to sentences of other political figures convicted of similar crimes.
Background and Reactions
Santos, elected in 2022, was ousted in 2023 after it was revealed he fabricated much of his life story and misused campaign funds. His legal troubles were compounded by his social media posts, where he portrayed himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach.
As sentencing approached, Santos expressed a mix of resignation and defiance, thanking supporters and detractors on social media, and promoting his Cameo account for personalized video messages, while also fearing for his safety in prison.