Former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to Nexstar. Despite a plea deal and claims of remorse, prosecutors cited his defiant social media posts as proof he deserved a harsher penalty.
Santos admitted to stealing from elderly donors, falsifying campaign finances, and lying on unemployment claims. He also misused charity donations for personal gain and filed fake financial disclosures during his campaigns.
Under his plea agreement, Santos must repay $373,749.97 in restitution while serving his sentence, marking a steep fall from power for the former congressman.