Rarely does a politician get thrown in the slammer. But this guy just couldn’t wriggle out of it.
And now a Congressman reported to prison for a seven year sentence.
Former Rep. George Santos Begins 7-Year Prison Sentence
Former Long Island Rep. George Santos, a Republican, surrendered to federal authorities to begin serving a 7-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, following his guilty plea to fraud charges.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed his custody. Santos admitted to defrauding campaign donors, filing false congressional financial disclosures, and stealing from contributors’ credit cards during his 2022 campaign for New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
Sentenced to 87 months in April after pleading guilty in August, Santos was also ordered to pay restitution, including over $4,000 for a 2023 check-forging incident involving stolen tennis shoes.
His 11-month tenure in Congress ended with his expulsion in 2023, making him the sixth congressman ever removed from office.
Santos’ Fraudulent Schemes and Public Deceptions
Santos’ legal troubles escalated after his 2022 election victory over Democrat Robert Zimmerman, as investigations revealed a pattern of deceit.
Prosecutors charged him with over a dozen counts, including channeling campaign donations into a personal LLC to fund luxury purchases and debt repayment, and fraudulently claiming pandemic unemployment benefits while employed.
He falsely reported earning $55,000 on his congressional disclosure, omitting a salary from a financial firm.
Santos also fabricated personal details, claiming a Baruch College volleyball scholarship and an NYU MBA, later admitting he never graduated college.
He misrepresented his employment at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, clarifying he worked for a related company, and made conflicting claims about his heritage, asserting his grandparents were Holocaust survivors before describing himself as “Jew-ish” in a New York Post interview.
A 2023 House Ethics Report corroborated these findings, leading to his expulsion.
Impact on Constituents and Ongoing Fallout
Santos’ actions drew widespread criticism, notably from disabled U.S. Navy veteran Richard Osthoff, who accused him of running a fake pet charity and withholding funds meant for his dog Sapphire’s surgery, resulting in the animal’s death.
The ex-congressman’s schemes and flamboyant persona made him a late-night TV punchline, with his outlandish explanations fueling public fascination.
After his conviction, Santos earned money via Cameo, recording personalized messages, and posted a theatrical farewell on social media before surrendering, stating, “The curtain falls, the spotlight dims… what a ride it’s been!”
