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Former U.S. Congressman George Santos, who plead guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, received a sentence of over seven years in prison on Friday. He appeared visibly emotional as the court announced his punishment.
During the sentencing, Santos expressed remorse, claiming he was “humbled” and acknowledged that he had let down those who supported him. “I offer my deepest apologies,” he said, emphasizing his desire to move forward, though he recognized the irreversibility of his actions.
However, U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert questioned the sincerity of his contrition, asking, “Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” as she handed down the 87-month sentence. She remarked that Santos seemed to deflect responsibility, suggesting he perceived himself as a victim in the situation.
Santos represented a New York district for less than a year before being expelled from Congress in 2023. He admitted to deceiving campaign donors and misappropriating identities, including those of family members, to finance his electoral campaign.
As part of a plea agreement, he is also obligated to pay approximately $580,000 in restitution in addition to serving his prison sentence.
Upon entering a Long Island courthouse, the 36-year-old avoided answering media inquiries but communicated with The Associated Press the day prior, indicating he was prepared to accept the consequences of his actions. “Given the circumstances, I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing,” Santos shared in a message, expressing his readiness to “face the music.”
Final Actions Before Imprisonment
In court filings, prosecutors contended that Santos had shown a lack of genuine remorse, despite his public statements. They highlighted his recent social media activity where he portrayed himself as a target of excessive legal action.
His defense team advocated for a minimal two-year sentence, the statutory minimum for aggravated identity theft, arguing that this would be in line with penalties typically given to similar political figures convicted of financial misconduct.
Initially elected in 2022, Santos won his seat by flipping a historically Democratic district that encompasses parts of Queens and Long Island.
WATCH l After delay, Santos is banished from Congress (2023):
George Santos expelled from U.S. Congress
Following his expulsion from the House of Representatives, Santos’s fraudulent claims about his background came to light. He had presented himself as a successful entrepreneur with a prestigious Wall Street career and a significant real estate portfolio. In reality, however, he faced serious financial troubles, including impending eviction.
The fallout from these revelations triggered both congressional and criminal investigations into the sources of his campaign funding.
In a series of social media updates on the eve of his sentencing, Santos made a final appeal for his Cameo account, where he sells personalized video messages for $100. He encouraged fans to plan for upcoming celebrations and events, closing his message with a flurry of heart emojis.
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www.cbc.ca