Disgraced former U.S.
Rep.
George Santos, who lied about his life story and defrauded donors, was sentenced Friday to over 7 years in prison, sobbing as he heard his punishment.Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer season to federal wire fraud and worsened identity theft, appealed for grace, telling a court through tears that he was humbled and chastised and realized he had betrayed his constituents trust.I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I can not reword the past, but I can manage the road ahead.U.S.
District Court Judge Joanna Seybert obviously wasnt convinced.Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars.
She said the former political leader appeared to feel that its always someone elses fault.The New York Republican served in Congress hardly a year before his House coworkers ousted him in 2023.
He confessed to tricking donors and stealing the identities of nearly a lots individuals, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign.
As part of a plea offer, Santos has agreed to pay roughly $580,000 in charges in addition to prison time.The 36-year-old didnt respond to reporters shouted concerns as he walked into a Long Island court house, but he informed The Associated Press on Thursday that he was resigned to his fate.Im doing along with any human being would be doing offered the circumstances, Santos composed in a text on Thursday, adding that he was prepared to deal with the music.Prosecutors looked for 7 years in federal jail for Santos, arguing in current court filings that he remains unrepentant and has actually disappointed real remorse, regardless of what he claims.They pointed out current comments Santos made on social networks in which he cast himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach.In a letter to the court today, Santos worried that he stays exceptionally sorry for his criminal activities however stated district attorneys proposed sentence is too harsh.Santos lawyers had required a two-year jail stint, which is the mandatory minimum sentence for intensified identity theft.They argued such a penalty was similar to sentences handed to previous U.S.
Rep.
Jesse Jackson Jr.
and other political figures founded guilty of similar monetary crimes.Santos was chosen in 2022, turning a rich district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP.Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had produced much of his life story, painting himself as an effective business owner who worked at distinguished Wall Street firms and held an important realty portfolio.In truth, Santos was struggling economically and even faced expulsion.
The discoveries caused congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had actually moneyed his campaign.As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective in social media posts, thanking his advocates and critics alike.I found out that no matter left, best or, center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one extremely power that I treasure and that is compassion, he composed Thursday on the social platform X.
To the giants well you guys are an impactful part of how individuals form themselves, and yall made me much more powerful and made my skin thicker!He likewise made one last plug for his Cameo account, where he tapes personalized video messages for $100.
Think ahead and of any celebration or occasion turning up later on this year.
Schedule them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis.Source: AP-- Agencies