Former Congressman George Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting that he deceived voters, donors, and even his own family members to fund his campaign. Santos, who was elected in 2022, had spun lies about his background and wealth, including falsely claiming that his mother died in the 9/11 attacks. His guilty plea came just weeks before the trial was set to begin, and he now faces at least six years in prison and over $570,000 in restitution and forfeiture. Santos expressed deep regret for his actions and acknowledged betraying the trust of his constituents and supporters.
Santos, once seen as a rising Republican star after winning a district covering parts of Queens and Long Island, faced scrutiny even before taking office. Reports emerged that he had fabricated his career at top Wall Street firms and lied about having a college degree. Santos admitted that his political ambitions led him to make unethical decisions, ultimately resulting in his guilty plea. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace emphasized that Santos had told lies for years before finally confessing the truth and accepting responsibility for his actions.
The charges against Santos included using stolen credit card numbers to fund his campaign, tricking donors into contributing to a fake nonprofit, and fabricating his personal wealth in financial disclosures to Congress. An investigation revealed that he had diverted funds to pay for luxury purchases at retailers like Hermes and Sephora, as well as a subscription to an adult content website. Santos’ deception led to his expulsion from the U.S. House, with the Ethics Committee finding overwhelming evidence of his wrongdoing.
Following his expulsion, Santos expressed openness to a plea deal, acknowledging the possibility of facing prison time. He later filed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement against Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and Disney but had the case dismissed by a federal judge. Santos transitioned to selling personalized videos on the Cameo app but abandoned a brief attempt to return to Congress as an independent candidate. In a recent interview, he expressed relief at returning to a private civilian life and described the emotional toll of facing his legal troubles.
Two former campaign aides of Santos pleaded guilty to crimes related to his campaign, complicating his defense. One aide admitted to fraud conspiracy, implicating Santos in falsifying campaign finance reports, while another confessed to wire fraud in connection with fundraising efforts. The guilty pleas of his aides added further evidence against Santos as he faced his own legal battles. Despite the challenges he has faced, Santos expressed a sense of closure and acceptance as he awaited sentencing for his crimes.
