Federal prosecutors have highlighted the unrepentant behavior of former U.S. Representative George Santos as he confronts the possibility of a lengthy federal prison sentence for charges of fraud and identity theft. In recent social media activity, Santos, a 36-year-old Republican from New York, has criticized the U.S. Department of Justice, characterizing it as a “cabal of pedophiles,” and portraying himself as a victim of excessive prosecutorial actions.
Prosecutors argued in a legal filing that this behavior contradicts the claims of “genuine remorse” made by Santos’s attorneys. They emphasized that Santos’s actions underscore the need for a substantial prison sentence. Santos’s legal team has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.
The social media posts began on April 4, after both prosecutors and Santos’s lawyers submitted their sentencing recommendations to a judge ahead of his sentencing on April 25 in Long Island federal court. In these posts, Santos defiantly stated that the Department of Justice would never break his spirit. He also refuted allegations of using campaign funds for luxury purchases from Hermès, despite such conduct being detailed in court documents.
Prosecutors have recommended a seven-year prison term, arguing that Santos’s actions have severely undermined the integrity of the election system. They have also suggested that he poses a high risk of reoffending, noting his failure to return any of his illicit gains or compensate the victims involved.
Conversely, Santos’s lawyers advocate for a two-year prison sentence, the mandatory minimum for aggravated identity theft, contending that he has no prior criminal record. They reference sentences given to other political figures, including former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., for comparable financial offenses.
In August, Santos admitted to deceiving voters and donors, and to stealing the identities of nearly a dozen individuals, including family members, to funnel donations into his congressional campaign. As part of a plea agreement, he consented to pay nearly $375,000 in restitution and $205,000 in forfeitures.
Elected in 2022 to serve parts of Queens and Long Island, Santos was ousted from office after serving just over a year, marking the sixth such expulsion in the history of the House of Representatives. His political career unraveled following revelations that he had fabricated significant portions of his background, raising questions about the financing of his campaign. Santos had portrayed himself as a prosperous businessman with experience at prestigious Wall Street firms and holdings in a valuable real estate portfolio, when in fact he was financially struggling and had faced eviction.