Former Representative George Santos reported to the Federal Correctional Institution Fairton in New Jersey on July 25, 2025, to commence his 87-month prison sentence for identity theft and wire fraud. This sentence follows a series of legal troubles stemming from a pattern of deceitful behavior throughout his political career.
In a farewell message posted on social media platform X, Santos reflected on his tumultuous journey in politics. He stated, “Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed.” His post acknowledged both supporters and critics, expressing gratitude for the experiences that his political career brought him.
The sentence Santos received combines two consecutive terms resulting from his guilty pleas to two counts of wire fraud and identity theft. Additionally, he is required to pay $373,000 in restitution to his victims. Santos had until Friday to turn himself in to authorities, marking the end of a controversial chapter in his life.
Santos represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District, covering parts of Nassau County and northeastern Queens, after being elected in November 2022. His tenure ended abruptly in December 2023 when he was expelled from Congress following investigations by the House Ethics Committee into allegations of unethical and illegal conduct that surfaced shortly after his election.
Before his expulsion, Santos faced significant legal challenges, including an indictment in May 2023 on 13 counts related to wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making materially false statements to Congress. His legal troubles escalated in October 2023, when he was hit with an additional 10 charges, including conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and aggravated identity theft.
In August 2024, Santos entered a guilty plea to two counts, leading to the dismissal of the remaining 21 charges. In court, he admitted to falsifying campaign funding figures to satisfy Federal Election Commission benchmarks, thereby securing necessary funding from the Republican National Committee. He also confessed to applying for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic while being employed, utilizing the identities of friends and family members to do so.
The Justice Department pursued the maximum sentence for Santos, who ultimately received the longest punishment available for the crimes he committed. His defense team had sought a significantly shorter sentence of two years in prison, along with two years of suspended release.
In his final message before beginning his prison term, Santos remarked, “I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit.” His journey through the political landscape has been marked by controversy, and his legal battles continue to draw significant attention as they unfold.
