Former Republican congressman George Santos has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The 36-year-old entered a guilty plea in a New York court last August. While federal prosecutors had requested an 87-month sentence, Santos’ legal team had argued for the minimum of two years for identity theft.
The sentence marks the final chapter in the downfall of the once-prominent freshman politician, who was expelled from Congress after revelations about fabrications in his biography and misuse of campaign funds.
Federal authorities stated that Santos laundered campaign donations to cover personal expenses, fraudulently collected unemployment benefits while employed, and lied to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Prosecutors also revealed that Santos charged over $44,000 to his campaign using donors’ credit cards without their consent.
In court last year, Santos admitted to theft, falsifying financial disclosures, and illegally claiming unemployment benefits.
