George Santos Sentenced to 7 Years for Wire Fraud
Santos's sentence is a result of his guilty plea to wire fraud and identity theft, with the court ordering him to pay nearly $400,000 in restitution and forfeiture, bringing an end to a scandal that led to his expulsion from Congress in 2023.
George Santos, a former US congressman, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison for wire fraud and identity theft, after pleading guilty to using stolen donor cash to fund a lavish lifestyle. The 36-year-old former lawmaker was accused of laundering campaign funds, misusing credit cards, and lying about his background.
Santos was expelled from Congress in 2023 and has been ordered to pay $374,000 in restitution. He admitted to stealing from a fundraiser for a dying dog and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee. The former congressman pleaded guilty to the charges in August and will report to prison on July 25.
The investigation, assisted by the FBI, IRS-CI, and Nassau County DA's office, found that Santos had submitted false reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), inflating fundraising numbers to qualify for a program that provided financial support to his campaign. He also stole the personal identity and financial information of contributors to his campaign, charging their credit cards without authorization, and used the funds for personal expenses.
Santos was found guilty of a scheme to obtain money for his 2022 congressional campaign by defrauding prospective donors. He falsely claimed to have received unemployment benefits despite being employed and made false statements to the House of Representatives about his income and assets. The former congressman has been ordered to pay $373,749.97 in restitution to his victims and $205,002.97 in forfeiture.
The sentencing of George Santos marks a significant consequence for the former lawmaker's actions, highlighting the importance of accountability and transparency in public office. The case serves as a reminder of the need for stringent oversight and enforcement of campaign finance laws to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.