Justice has been served. But it hasn’t been kind to this ex-lawmaker.
And a former congressman has been sentenced to prison for this heinous crime.
George Santos Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Federal Corruption Case
In a dramatic courtroom scene on Friday, George Santos, the former congressman infamous for his web of lies, broke down in tears as a federal judge delivered his fate.
The 36-year-old, once a rising star in Long Island politics, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for his role in a sprawling corruption scandal that shocked the nation.
Central Islip federal judge Joanna Seybert also ordered Santos to pay $373,000 in restitution to those he defrauded.
Santos, who pleaded guilty in August to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitted to swindling donors and exploiting the identities of dozens of people—including family and friends—to falsely boost his campaign’s contributor numbers.
His deception fueled a brief but tumultuous political career, which saw him flip a congressional seat in Queens and Nassau County to Republican control in 2022. However, his time in the House was cut short when, in December 2023, he became only the sixth member of the U.S. House of Representatives ever to be expelled from office.
Now a polarizing figure selling personalized video messages for $100 on Cameo, Santos arrived at the courthouse tight-lipped, dodging reporters’ questions. Hours earlier, he hinted at the looming sentencing on X, posting “Soon” alongside prayer-hands emojis.
Soon. 🙏🏻
— Pants On Fire with George Santos (@MrSantosNY) April 25, 2025
Prosecutors, who pushed for the maximum seven-year sentence, pointed to Santos’ recent social media activity as evidence of his lack of genuine remorse. In one X post, he called himself a “scapegoat” and unleashed a tirade against the Department of Justice. His legal team countered that Santos was merely reacting to what he saw as an overly punitive recommendation, insisting he was “profoundly sorry” for his actions.
Santos’ rise to infamy began during his 2022 campaign, when his fabricated backstory unraveled. He falsely claimed to have graduated from New York University and Baruch College and boasted of working at financial giants Citigroup and Goldman Sachs—none of which was true.
Santos lacked a college degree and had no direct employment with the firms. By May 2023, federal authorities charged him with a 23-count indictment, accusing him of laundering campaign funds, defrauding donors, lying to Congress about his wealth, and misusing campaign money for lavish purchases, including designer clothing, Botox treatments, and extravagant vacations. He even collected unemployment benefits while employed, prosecutors alleged.
The case also ensnared Santos’ former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, who pleaded guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge.
She faces sentencing next month, with prosecutors recommending a term of three and a half to four years.
In a candid NY1 interview earlier this week, Santos expressed fears for his safety in prison, requesting protective custody.
He also admitted to lacking the funds to cover the restitution he agreed to pay as part of his plea deal.
Santos is set to begin his prison term on July 25, marking the end of a chaotic chapter for the disgraced ex-lawmaker whose audacious lies captivated and appalled the public.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
