Former US House Representative Santos has pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft. This means the Republican could avoid a trial. However, he still faces a long prison sentence.
Former Republican Congressman George Santos, who was thrown out of Congress for a series of lies and bizarre appearances, has pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft.
According to consistent US media reports, this means the 36-year-old can avoid a trial that was supposed to begin next month. However, a prison sentence seems certain. Santos is accused of a number of charges, including money laundering and embezzlement of public funds.
Fraud and Allegations of deception
Santos' rise to the federal political stage was overshadowed from the beginning by allegations of fraud and deception. Among other things, he falsified a large part of the CV with which he presented himself to voters in 2022. As the public furor around his persona grew, more and more lies and bizarre episodes surrounding Santos came to light.
The guilty plea in New York State almost certainly means that Santos will go to prison after his sentencing, which is set for February. He faces a minimum of two years and a maximum of around 20 years in prison. He also agreed to pay more than $370,000 in restitution and showed remorse in court.
Santos to be a member of parliament in New York until the end of 2023
The 35-year-old Santos served as a representative of a New York district in the US House of Representatives for about a year until his expulsion in early December 2023 and presented himself as a supporter of former US President Donald Trump. The MPs expelled him by a large majority because of the overwhelming allegations.
