Prosecutors have called for a prison sentence of more than seven years for former U.S. Representative George Santos, who pleaded guilty to federal charges of fraud and identity theft. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York filed a court document on Friday emphasizing the severity of Santos’s actions, stating that his crimes “mocked” the country’s election system and caused significant harm.
According to the prosecution, Santos’s fraudulent actions, including fabricating an entirely fictional biography and stealing money from vulnerable donors, reflected his insatiable desire for wealth and fame. They argued that these actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the integrity of the democratic process, explaining that Santos exploited the very system meant to elect public representatives.
“The scope of his crimes, from inventing a fictitious persona to exploiting elderly donors, shows an appalling level of greed and entitlement,” the prosecutors wrote. They further criticized Santos for remaining defiant even as the details of his lies unraveled, claiming that his assertions of innocence were “self-serving” and that his apology following the guilty plea lacked sincerity.
The government also expressed concern over the possibility of Santos reoffending, citing his failure to repay victims or relinquish any of the illicit funds he had gained. They noted that his criminal behavior was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern that undermined the public’s trust.Prosecutors are seeking more than 7 years in prison for disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos
Prosecutors are seeking more than seven years in prison for disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos
In response, Santos’s legal team dismissed the prosecution’s seven-year prison recommendation as “exaggerated” and “without merit.” They emphasized that Santos had already taken full responsibility for his actions and had no prior criminal history. His defense team argued for a much lighter sentence, proposing two years in prison, the mandatory minimum for aggravated identity theft, which they believe aligns with sentences handed down to other public figures convicted of similar crimes.
Santos’s attorneys also highlighted his cooperation in a separate investigation involving an individual who attempted to scam him out of nearly $1 million by pretending to be a political fixer. The lawyers argued that this cooperation should be factored into the judge’s decision.
Furthermore, they pointed to the collateral damage Santos had already endured, including the loss of his congressional seat and the public humiliation he suffered after his deceitful actions were exposed. The defense suggested that these consequences would send a strong message that such behavior would not be tolerated in the future.
A federal judge on Long Island is scheduled to hear arguments and deliver a final sentencing decision on April 25.
Once a rising star within the Republican Party, Santos represented parts of Queens and Long Island for less than a year before he was expelled from Congress in 2023, becoming one of only six members in history to be removed from office. His downfall followed revelations that much of his personal and professional history was fabricated, raising questions about the sources of funding for his campaign.
At 36 years old, Santos falsely portrayed himself as a wealthy businessman, claiming to have attended prestigious universities, worked at top Wall Street firms, and built a significant real estate portfolio. In reality, he was financially struggling and on the brink of eviction.
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In August, Santos admitted to deceiving voters, falsifying campaign donations, and using the identities of at least 11 individuals, including his own family members, to make fraudulent contributions to his congressional campaign.
Santos had been scheduled for sentencing in February, but a judge granted him an additional three months to attempt to pay more than $500,000 in court-imposed fines. As part of his plea agreement, he committed to paying $375,000 in restitution and $205,000 in forfeitures.
While Santos’s legal team claimed he had minimal assets and needed time to earn money from his newly launched podcast, “Pants on Fire,” prosecutors argued that he had profited significantly from his notoriety, earning over $800,000 from appearances on Cameo and a documentary released after his expulsion.
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Two of Santos’s former campaign staff members have also pleaded guilty to charges related to the campaign finance scandal. Sam Miele, Santos’s former campaign fundraiser, was sentenced in March to over a year in prison for impersonating a congressional aide and making unauthorized charges to donors’ credit cards. Nancy Marks, Santos’s former campaign treasurer, pleaded guilty to filing fake campaign finance reports, including false donations and an alleged $500,000 loan from Santos himself, which helped his campaign qualify for national Republican Party funding. Marks is set to be sentenced in May.
With the sentencing hearing approaching, all eyes are on how the judge will address the fallout from one of the most notorious political scandals in recent years.
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