Former Rep. George Santos Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Federal Campaign Finance Fraud

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — Former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday, April 25, 2025, following his guilty plea to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a campaign finance fraud case that rocked his brief political career. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in a federal court on Long Island, marks the culmination of a scandal that led to Santos’ expulsion from Congress in 2023, making him only the sixth House member ever expelled in U.S. history.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York described Santos’ actions as “unparalleled crimes” that “made a mockery” of the nation’s election system. According to court filings, Santos, 36, fabricated much of his biography, presenting himself as a wealthy businessman with elite credentials, while in reality, he faced financial struggles and eviction. He admitted to deceiving voters, defrauding donors, and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen individuals, including family members, to funnel unauthorized donations to his 2022 congressional campaign. These efforts helped him meet fundraising thresholds to secure financial support from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office had pushed for an 87-month sentence, arguing that Santos’ “unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame” warranted significant punishment. They highlighted his lack of remorse, noting that he dismissed the prosecution as a “witch hunt” and profited from his infamy, earning over $800,000 from Cameo appearances and a documentary since his expulsion. Santos’ legal team, however, requested the mandatory minimum of two years, citing his cooperation in a separate federal investigation and comparing his case to lighter sentences for similar crimes, such as former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s 30-month term.

As part of his August 2024 plea deal, Santos agreed to pay $373,749.97 in restitution and $205,002.97 in forfeiture. His sentencing was delayed from February to allow him time to raise funds through his podcast, Pants on Fire, though prosecutors disputed his claim of having only $1,000 in liquid assets. Two of Santos’ campaign aides also faced consequences: former fundraiser Sam Miele was sentenced to one year and one day for wire fraud, while former treasurer Nancy Marks, who admitted to filing false campaign finance reports, awaits sentencing in May.

Santos, once a rising Republican star who flipped New York’s Third Congressional District in 2022, addressed the court, expressing regret but defending his right to challenge the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation. In a letter to Judge Seybert, he wrote, “True remorse isn’t mute; it speaks up when the penalty scale jumps into the absurd.” Despite his plea, the seven-year sentence reflects the court’s view of the severity of his fraudulent schemes, which included misusing campaign funds for personal expenses like designer clothing and Botox, as detailed in a damning House Ethics Committee report.

17GEN4.com