Former Congressman George Santos Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence for Fraud and Identity Theft

Former Congressman George Santos Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence for Fraud and Identity Theft

Disgraced former Congressman George Santos is facing the possibility of a seven-year prison sentence as New York prosecutors push for severe penalties following his guilty plea. Santos, who is now 36 years old, was expelled from the House of Representatives, marking him as the sixth member to be ejected and the first Republican.

In August, Santos entered a guilty plea for federal fraud and identity theft charges as part of a plea agreement after previously being indicted on felony counts. The former lawmaker admitted to stealing from political donors, using campaign funds for personal expenses, lying to Congress about his financial status, and improperly collecting unemployment benefits while employed.

Despite his legal troubles, Santos remains defiant. He expressed on social media that no matter the actions taken against him by the Department of Justice, his spirit remains unbroken.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Timeline

Santos has already agreed to serve at least two years in prison. The initial sentencing was scheduled for February, but he has requested a postponement. His rationale is to obtain sufficient funds through his podcast, allowing him to pay nearly $600,000 owed in restitution and forfeiture to those he victimized.

Financial Gains Amid Legal Challenges

Prosecutors stated that Santos has amassed roughly $800,000 through various appearances on the Cameo app, where he reportedly charged around $350 for personalized videos featuring his drag persona, Kitara Ravache. In the past, he has denied ever participating in drag or associating with drag queens.

In court filings, prosecutors emphasized the need for a substantial sentence, claiming that Santos’s actions had severely undermined the integrity of the electoral process. They characterized his conduct, from fabricating a fictitious biography to exploiting elderly and vulnerable donors, as indicative of unchecked greed and a desperate yearning for fame.

Character Assessment and Future Risks

Notably, prosecutors argued that Santos has shown a lack of remorse and has described investigations into his crimes as a