A former U.S. congressman is in serious trouble. Once elected to represent a part of New York, George Santos now faces a possible prison sentence of more than seven years. Federal prosecutors say he carried out several illegal schemes to make money and win political support. His time in Congress lasted only 11 months and was filled with controversy and shocking lies.
Santos was elected in 2022. During his campaign, he told many stories about himself—stories that turned out to be completely made up. He claimed to have gone to a well-known university and said he worked at major banks. He even said his grandparents escaped from the Nazis in World War II. None of this was true. He used these lies to gain sympathy and trust from voters.
But the lies didn’t stop there. According to federal prosecutors, Santos also made up fake names and donation amounts in his fundraising reports. This trick helped him get money and support from his political party. Prosecutors say he used this money not to help the community, but to enjoy a luxury lifestyle. Reports say he spent campaign money on expensive designer items, beauty treatments like Botox, and even a website known for adult content.
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Crimes That Shocked the Nation
Santos faced 23 criminal charges. These included wire fraud, identity theft, and stealing from campaign donors. In August, he admitted guilt to two of the charges: one for wire fraud and another for aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea deal, Santos also confessed to doing everything that was listed in the full indictment, even if he didn’t plead guilty to every single charge.
One of the major accusations was that Santos used campaign funds to pay for personal luxuries. He also stole credit card details from donors and used those cards without permission. In another scheme, prosecutors say he received unemployment benefits while still working. All of these actions, they argue, were part of a plan to cheat the system and benefit himself.
After his guilty plea, Santos apologized outside a New York courthouse. He told reporters he regretted his actions and was ready to take responsibility. However, that apology hasn’t softened the stance of the prosecutors. On Friday, they asked the judge to give him 87 months in prison, which is a little over seven years. They say this harsh sentence is needed to show how serious his crimes were.
Prosecutors explained that Santos used lies and fraud to become a member of Congress, one of the highest positions in the U.S. government. They say no one else has pulled off a scheme quite like his, and that a strong punishment is the only fair outcome.
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While prosecutors are pushing for a long sentence, Santos’ legal team believes this is too harsh. His lawyer argued in a court document that the government is trying to create a dramatic story rather than focus on justice. He said that other people who committed similar crimes received much shorter sentences. He also asked the judge to consider a two-year prison term instead.
Santos’ lawyer said that the 87-month request doesn’t match up with what other cases have received. He believes the government is being too aggressive and only wants attention. The lawyer insists that Santos has already admitted his guilt and should be treated fairly, not used to send a message.
Despite the legal arguments, the facts remain troubling. A separate investigation by the House of Representatives Ethics Committee confirmed much of what the prosecutors claimed. That report found that Santos misused campaign money, misled voters, and lied about his background. In December, after months of scandal and growing pressure, members of Congress from both parties voted to expel him. It was a rare move and shows how serious the situation had become.
