Former U.S. Representative George Santos was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on Friday, closing a chapter of scandal that began with a fraudulent congressional campaign. Santos, who became infamous for fabricating his life story, was convicted of defrauding donors and engaging in identity theft.

Santos’ Rise to Power and Fraudulent Activities

Santos, 36, made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ Republican elected to Congress. However, his career was marred by an extensive web of lies about his background, including false claims about his education and work experience. He was found to have deceived donors and stolen identities— including those of his own family members—to fund his successful campaign.

Courtroom Apology and Sentencing

During his sentencing in Long Island, New York, Santos appeared emotional, apologizing for his actions. “I offer my deepest apologies,” he said. “I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.” Despite his apology, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert seemed unconvinced by Santos’ contrition. The judge questioned his sincerity, stating that Santos appeared to believe his actions were someone else’s fault.

Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison for his role in the fraudulent schemes. His sentence was part of a plea deal he struck in August 2024, in which he admitted to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Deception, Luxury Spending, and Public Mockery

Santos was found to have misused donor funds, spending money on vacations, luxury goods, and even cosmetic procedures like Botox. He also allocated funds to his OnlyFans account, showing a blatant disregard for the law and public trust.

The North Shore Leader, a local newspaper, was the first to expose Santos’ lies, alleging that he had fabricated much of his résumé. However, instead of showing remorse, Santos continued to mock the media and his critics, calling the accusations a smear campaign.

Social Media Controversy

Before his court appearance, Santos made controversial statements on social media, referring to himself as a “scapegoat” and even accusing the justice department of being a “cabal of pedophiles.” These inflammatory posts were highlighted by prosecutors as evidence of his defiant attitude, undermining his plea for a lenient sentence.

Plea Deal and Restitution

In his August 2024 plea deal, Santos admitted to defrauding not only donors but also federal and state institutions and his own supporters. As part of the deal, he was required to pay $373,749.97 in restitution and forfeit $205,002.97.

Public Accountability

Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, described Santos’ guilty plea as a rare moment of honesty, acknowledging that the former congressman had “repeatedly defrauded federal and state government institutions as well as his own family, supporters, and constituents.” Peace emphasized that the case serves as a reminder of the justice department’s commitment to rooting out corruption and fraud by public officials.

The Fallout

Santos’ term in Congress lasted less than a year before his colleagues in the House of Representatives voted to expel him in December 2023. His seat reverted to the Democratic Party, with Tom Suozzi winning the special election.

Santos’ case has been one of the most striking examples of political fraud in recent years, and his sentencing marks the end of a dramatic political rise and fall.