Former New York congressman George Santos was sentenced to over 7 years in federal prison for wire fraud and identity theft after misusing campaign funds for luxury items and OnlyFans subscriptions.
At a Glance
- U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced Santos to 87 months (7+ years) in prison
- Santos must pay $373,749.97 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft
- Prosecutors called Santos a “pathological liar” who stole from elderly donors with no remorse
- Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023 following a House Ethics Committee investigation
- He launched a podcast called “Pants on Fire” while awaiting sentencing, which prosecutors cited as evidence of his lack of remorse
Fraud, Prison Time, and Restitution
Former Republican congressman George Santos received an 87-month federal prison sentence on Thursday for wire fraud and identity theft related to his campaign finance scandal. U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert delivered the sentence in New York, alongside ordering Santos to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and complete two years of supervised release following his incarceration. The sentence falls within the expected six to eight-year range prosecutors had sought, though significantly less than the maximum 22 years he could have faced.
Santos, who pleaded guilty in August to the charges, faced stern criticism from Judge Seybert during sentencing. When Santos attempted to express remorse, the judge challenged him directly about his apparent lack of contrition since his guilty plea.
DEVELOPING: Federal prosecutors have recommended that former Congressman George Santos serve 87 months (over 7 years) in prison for wire fraud and identity theft. The disgraced ex-lawmaker pleaded guilty to faking donor information and inflating fundraising numbers to secure GOP… pic.twitter.com/to2Bin8Eau
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) April 5, 2025
Pattern of Deception and Misused Funds
Federal prosecutors portrayed Santos as a “pathological liar” who stole from elderly donors and showed no genuine regret for his actions. Evidence presented showed Santos used campaign donations for personal expenses including luxury clothing, Botox treatments, and OnlyFans subscriptions. The prosecution also highlighted his unauthorized use of donors’ credit card information to make additional contributions and his collection of unemployment benefits while employed by an investment firm.
Santos won election to Congress in 2022, flipping a Democratic seat in Long Island to Republican control. His political career quickly unraveled as journalists uncovered numerous fabrications in his background, including false claims about being Jewish, working for major Wall Street firms, and his educational credentials. A House Ethics Committee investigation found substantial evidence that Santos had misused campaign funds, leading to his expulsion from Congress in December 2023 – only the sixth member ever expelled from the House.
Unrepentant Behavior and Delayed Justice
Despite pleading guilty, Santos launched a podcast called “Pants on Fire with George Santos,” where he discussed his fabricated history and maintained an active social media presence. Prosecutors pointed to this behavior as evidence he remained unrepentant. Santos’ legal team argued for leniency, citing his lack of criminal history and claiming his actions stemmed from desperation related to his political campaign, not personal enrichment. They requested a minimum two-year sentence.
Under his plea agreement, Santos was required to pay $200,000 in forfeiture and over $373,000 in restitution, though court records indicated he had not made any payments by his sentencing date. Santos previously expressed interest in receiving a pardon from former President Donald Trump if he returns to office, but admitted he had not directly contacted Trump about the possibility. The sentencing brings closure to a remarkable political scandal that drew national attention for its brazen nature and extensive pattern of deception.
