George Santos Faces Prison After Pleading Guilty to Fraud Charges

Former Republican congressman George Santos is now facing several years in prison after pleading guilty to two federal counts of fraud. Santos, 36, appeared in court in Central Islip, New York, where he admitted to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, including stealing the identities of campaign staff and misusing campaign funds.

The judge overseeing the case estimated that Santos could face a sentencing range of six to eight years in prison. Santos expressed deep regret for his actions in a statement read to the court, taking full responsibility for the harm caused. This guilty plea marks a significant downfall for Santos, who was expelled from Congress last year after a scandal-ridden tenure.

As part of a plea agreement, Santos is required to pay restitution of at least $374,000. The aggravated identity theft charge alone carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which will be added to any other sentences he receives.

During the court proceedings, Santos admitted to several fraudulent activities, including applying for unemployment benefits he was not entitled to and making false statements on financial documents submitted to both the House Ethics Committee and the Federal Election Commission (FEC). His charges included 23 federal felonies, ranging from wire fraud and money laundering to the misuse of campaign funds.

Santos’ sentencing is scheduled for February 7.