Former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to over seven years in prison on Friday, April 25, 2025, after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentencing took place in a federal court near his former congressional district.
Santos, 36, showed remorse during the hearing, apologizing for his actions and admitting to betraying his constituents’ trust. “I offer my deepest apologies,” he said through tears. “I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.” However, U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert appeared unconvinced by his apology.
“Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” Judge Seybert questioned as she handed down the 87-month sentence. “It’s always someone else’s fault.”
Santos was elected to Congress in 2022, representing parts of Queens and Long Island, but his tenure was short-lived. He became just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his life story and deceived donors.
The prosecution highlighted that Santos had stolen the identities of nearly a dozen people, including family members, to fund his campaign. His victims included vulnerable individuals such as a woman with brain damage and two elderly men.
As part of his plea deal, Santos agreed to pay approximately $580,000 in penalties. Despite his guilty plea and apology, Santos took to social media after the sentencing, suggesting he might seek a White House reprieve from President Trump.
Santos’ case drew significant attention due to the extent of his fabrications and the severity of his crimes. Before his election, he had collected unemployment benefits while working for a Florida company and later cosponsored legislation aimed at preventing unemployment fraud.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a case that exposed widespread fraud and deception by a sitting congressman. Santos’ actions not only betrayed the trust of his constituents but also undermined the integrity of the electoral process.
