Former congressman George Santos was sentenced on Friday to more than 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Once hailed as a rising GOP star, Santos now faces the consequences of a sprawling web of lies and criminal schemes that have shattered his political career and left his reputation in ruins.
Federal prosecutors described Santos as a “pathological liar and fraudster,” arguing in court filings that his offenses were not mere lapses in judgment but part of a calculated pattern of deceit that defrauded donors, misled the public, and undermined the democratic process.
The saga of Santos’s downfall began in 2022 when he won election to represent parts of Queens and Long Island in Congress. At the time, he was a relatively unknown figure on the national stage.
But local reporting by The North Shore Leader raised early red flags about discrepancies in his personal and financial disclosures. Those concerns were largely ignored during the campaign but quickly escalated after his surprise victory in November.
BREAKING: Disgraced former Republican Congressman George Santos has been sentenced to 87 months in prison. pic.twitter.com/lQzQ9YwrS1
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 25, 2025
In the months that followed, Santos became the subject of relentless scrutiny as more and more lies came to light—claims that he worked for major Wall Street firms, that he held a degree from a prestigious university, and even that his mother died as a result of the 9/11 attacks. All were false.
The lies extended far beyond embellishment. In 2023, federal prosecutors unsealed a sweeping indictment charging Santos with 23 counts ranging from wire fraud and money laundering to aggravated identity theft and false statements to the Federal Election Commission. The charges painted a picture of a man who not only lied to voters, but also exploited his campaign for personal gain.
Prosecutors alleged that Santos diverted campaign donations into his own accounts to fund a lavish lifestyle, including designer clothing and personal expenses.
He was also accused of fraudulently applying for pandemic-era unemployment benefits while still employed and of stealing the identities of campaign donors to make unauthorized contributions to his campaign in their names.
The indictment and subsequent investigations culminated in Santos becoming only the sixth member of the U.S. House of Representatives ever expelled by his peers. A damning House Ethics Committee report concluded there was “substantial evidence” of criminal wrongdoing and financial misconduct.
Despite overwhelming evidence and calls from both sides of the aisle to resign, Santos remained defiant for much of 2023, claiming he was the target of a political witch hunt and pledging to seek reelection. But by the time of his sentencing, his tone had shifted.
In a letter submitted to U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert ahead of his sentencing, Santos attempted to show remorse. “Every sunrise since that plea has carried the same realization: I did this, me. I am responsible,” he wrote.
However, he also expressed frustration with the prosecution’s portrayal of him as unrepentant, claiming that “saying I’m sorry doesn’t require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head.”
Though now sentenced, questions remain about Santos’s next steps. One source of speculation is whether the former congressman might seek clemency or a pardon from President Donald Trump.
Other embattled political figures, such as former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, have reportedly considered such options amid their own legal battles.
Santos, however, told NY1 that he has no intention of formally requesting a pardon or commutation, though he left the door open for Trump to act unilaterally. “I believe in the process,” he said. “I believe that also the president is aware of my situation. I don’t think I need to petition him… He can make that decision without me having to put a spectacle on television, like most people are doing right now.”
For now, Santos is set to begin his prison sentence, bringing to a dramatic close one of the most bizarre and scandal-ridden careers in recent political memory.
What began as a historic win for a relatively unknown candidate has ended in disgrace, conviction, and a prison term that will likely define his legacy for years to come.