Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has admitted to committing multiple felonies related to campaign finance fraud and identity theft.

The former congressman, who once represented a wealthy district in Long Island, pleaded guilty to the charges on Monday, acknowledging the severe legal consequences that now await him, including time behind bars, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Santos faces substantial prison time and financial penalties after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

U.S. Attorney Brings Charges Against Santos

Santos’s guilty plea comes after an extensive investigation led by U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, which revealed a wide-ranging scheme to defraud both donors and federal authorities during his 2022 congressional campaign.

The charges, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, are serious offenses, with the latter carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison.

The investigation into Santos’s activities began in earnest after reports surfaced that he had fabricated large portions of his resume during his campaign.

However, the legal charges he faces go beyond mere embellishments. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace brought a total of 23 charges against Santos in October, which were later expanded upon in a superseding indictment in May. The charges include submitting false records to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and stealing credit card information from donors.

According to Peace, Santos used the stolen funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing designer clothing and paying off personal credit card debts. The House Ethics Committee’s report, released in November, disclosed even more of Santos’s inappropriate expenditures, including payments for Botox, OnlyFans subscriptions, and high-end items from Hermes and Sephora.

Plea Agreement Allows Santos to Avoid Trial

Initially, Santos was scheduled to stand trial in less than a month. However, the plea agreement he reached with U.S. Attorney Peace allowed him to avoid this process. The agreement, which was approved by a judge, means that Santos will not face the uncertainty of a trial but will instead be sentenced based on his admission of guilt.

Santos’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Given the nature of the charges and the details of the plea agreement, Santos is expected to receive a significant prison sentence, as well as hefty fines. His plea agreement includes a restitution payment of $373,749 and a forfeiture payment of $205,002, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Santos Apologizes, Reflects on Actions

Outside the courtroom, Santos expressed remorse for his actions. He tearfully apologized to his former constituents, stating, “I failed you.” Santos acknowledged the damage his actions had caused, not only to those who supported him but also to the integrity of the political process. He expressed a desire to make amends, saying he hopes to be part of restoring the integrity that he admitted he had helped diminish.

Santos’s rise to power was marked by numerous lies and fabrications. After winning his congressional seat in 2022, reports emerged that he had exaggerated or completely fabricated significant portions of his resume. These falsehoods included claims of working at Goldman Sachs, attending the prestigious Horace Mann School, and even lying about his heritage, falsely stating that he was Jewish and that his grandparents had fled Nazi Germany.

The Fallout of Santos’s Actions

The consequences of Santos’s actions were far-reaching. The House Ethics Committee’s report, which detailed his fraudulent spending, led to a decisive vote in December to expel Santos from Congress. His expulsion marked a dramatic fall from grace for the young politician, who had initially been celebrated as a rising star within the Republican Party.

After his expulsion, Santos appeared to embrace his infamy, going so far as to charge $200 for personalized video appearances on the platform Cameo. In these videos, he referred to himself as a “Former congressional ‘Icon’!”—a stark contrast to the contrition he expressed during his plea.

Santos’s Former Aides Also Face Legal Consequences

The legal ramifications of the scandal did not end with Santos. Two of his former aides, Nancy Marks and Sam Miele, also faced charges from the Department of Justice. Marks, who served as Santos’s treasurer, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and identity theft.

Miele, who was involved in fundraising for Santos, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Their guilty pleas, like Santos’s, highlight the breadth and depth of the fraudulent activities surrounding his campaign.

Conclusion

Former Rep. George Santos’s admission of guilt in a campaign finance fraud case marks the end of a controversial chapter in his political career.

Facing several years in prison, substantial fines, and restitution payments, Santos’s legal troubles underscore the serious consequences of his actions.

As he awaits sentencing, the full impact of his fraudulent activities on his former constituents and the broader political community remains a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in public office.