CENTRAL ISLIP, New York —
Former Republican congressman George Santos was sentenced Thursday to 87 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, who described Santos as an “arrogant fraudster” and criticized his lack of genuine remorse.
Santos, 36, was elected in 2022 to represent New York’s 3rd congressional district, making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, his time in office was short-lived. In December 2023, he was expelled from Congress following a House Ethics Committee report detailing serious financial misconduct and widespread lies about his personal and professional background.
Federal investigators found that Santos had misused campaign funds for personal expenses, including luxury travel, cosmetic procedures, and subscriptions to platforms such as OnlyFans. He also used false identities, including those of his own relatives, to fraudulently obtain donations and deceive political supporters.
Judge Seybert ordered Santos to pay $374,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $205,000 in fraudulently obtained assets. He is required to report to prison on July 25, 2025.
During the sentencing hearing, a visibly emotional Santos expressed regret for his actions. However, Judge Seybert questioned the sincerity of his apology, citing his post-expulsion efforts to profit from his notoriety through a podcast and personalized video messages.
“Mr. Santos chose to lie in pursuit of political power and personal enrichment,” Seybert said. “He didn’t just betray his constituents—he betrayed the public trust.”
The case has reignited debate in Washington over ethical oversight in Congress and the need for stricter candidate vetting processes, as Republican leaders seek to distance themselves from the scandal.
