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CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — Former U.S. Representative George Santos is set to be sentenced in federal court on Friday after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Santos, a Republican from New York, was in office for a short span before his fellow lawmakers expelled him in 2023 due to his numerous fabrications about his background and financial misconduct. In his guilty plea last summer, he confessed to misleading donors and appropriating identities of various individuals, including those within his own family, to finance his campaign efforts.
In the wake of his plea deal, Santos agreed to a substantial financial penalty totaling approximately $580,000 alongside the potential for prison time.
At 36 years of age, Santos expressed to The Associated Press that he is prepared to accept the consequences of his actions.
“Under the circumstances, I am coping as best as any person could,” Santos communicated via text on Thursday. “I will be present in court tomorrow, ready to accept my fate.”
Federal prosecutors are advocating for a sentence of seven years, citing that Santos appears to lack true remorse for his actions, despite his claims to the contrary, as noted in their recent court submissions. They point to his public statements on social media where he positions himself as a target of aggressive prosecution.
In a letter directed to the court this week, Santos emphasized his deep regret for the offenses but argued against the severity of the proposed sentence, deeming it excessively harsh.
His defense team has requested a two-year prison sentence, which aligns with the mandatory minimum for charges of aggravated identity theft.
They contend that such a punishment is consistent with the sentences previously handed out to other political figures, like former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and other individuals convicted for comparable financial offenses.
Santos was elected in 2022, managing to secure a win in a prominent district encompassing areas of Queens and Long Island for the Republican Party.
However, it was soon uncovered that he had misrepresented many aspects of his life history, falsely portraying himself as a thriving businessman who held reputable positions in significant Wall Street firms and owned valuable real estate.
In reality, Santos was grappling with financial difficulties and had even faced eviction, prompting investigations regarding the sources of his campaign funding.
As his sentencing looms, Santos has taken to social media to reflect on his experiences, expressing appreciation for both supporters and critics.
“I’ve discovered that regardless of our political beliefs, we are all human beings with one shared strength: compassion,” he wrote on X on Thursday. “To those who criticize me… you play a significant role in shaping individuals, and you’ve made me more resilient.”
He concluded his reflections with a reminder about his Cameo service, where he offers personalized video messages.
“Keep in mind any upcoming celebrations or events. Book yours today,” Santos suggested, wrapping up with several heart emojis.
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This article incorporates contributions from Associated Press reporter Jake Offenhartz in New York.
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You can follow Philip Marcelo on Twitter.
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abcnews.go.com