Santos is one of only six members of the House of Representatives in history to have been expelled. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
His guilty plea followed a sweeping investigation into campaign finance fraud, donor identity theft and false COVID-era unemployment claims.
"This prosecution speaks to the truth that my office is committed to aggressively rooting out public corruption," said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham, who called the sentence "judgment day" for Santos and justice for his victims. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said Santos "traded in his integrity for designer clothes and a luxury lifestyle."
MENENDEZ TO REPORT TO PRISON FOR 11-YEAR TERM FOR CORRUPTION
According to the DOJ, Santos purposefully targeted elderly people with "cognitive impairment or decline" in identity theft schemes. (Annabelle Gordon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Santos was elected in 2022 after flipping New York’s 3rd District for the GOP. His résumé was easily debunked. He falsely claimed academic degrees, Wall Street jobs and family ties to the Holocaust and 9/11.
He was expelled from Congress in December 2023 after a scathing ethics report, becoming just the sixth member ever removed from the People's House.
Santos has remained publicly active after his sentencing, selling video messages on Cameo and making social media posts.
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His tweet concluded, "I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit."
Unless pardoned, Santos is expected to remain incarcerated until at least early 2032. He has reportedly appealed to President Donald Trump for clemency.
The White House and Santos did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com or to @JasmineSBaehr via X.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-congressman-george-santos-glamorous-farewell-before-prison