CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – Former U.S. Congressman George Santos is set to report to federal prison by July 25, where he will begin serving an 87-month sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft tied to a wide-ranging campaign finance scheme that unraveled shortly after his election in 2022.
Santos, who represented parts of Nassau County and Queens in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, was sentenced in April after pleading guilty to two federal charges. The plea deal stemmed from a broader indictment involving 23 felony counts alleging fraudulent campaign contributions, unemployment benefits fraud, and theft of donor identities.
In addition to prison time, the court ordered Santos to pay $374,000 in restitution and forfeit over $205,000 in assets. He will also serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration.
The charges outlined a pattern of financial deception and personal enrichment. Prosecutors said Santos used campaign donations to pay for personal expenses including luxury goods, Botox treatments, and adult content subscriptions. He was also accused of unlawfully collecting pandemic-related unemployment benefits while running for office and employed tactics such as stealing the identities of supporters to funnel unauthorized contributions into his campaign.
Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives in December 2023, making him only the sixth member ever removed from the chamber—and the first Republican to be expelled without a prior conviction.
Ahead of his surrender date, Santos posted a series of messages on his X account (formerly Twitter), where he declared he is “not suicidal” and wanted the public to be aware of his mental state before entering federal custody.
I want to make it very clear that I am of sound mind, and I am NOT suicidal,” he wrote, adding that “any attempts made at my life will be treated as such.”
He also told followers he would deactivate his social media presence once incarcerated, saying, “It’s not the end, just a new chapter.”
Throughout the legal process, Santos maintained an active and defiant online presence, often using social media and media appearances to portray himself as a victim of political persecution. Prosecutors, however, cited his ongoing efforts to profit from his notoriety – including podcasting and personalized video messages – as signs he had not accepted responsibility.
His sentencing follows a period of national scrutiny, triggered by media reports exposing extensive fabrications in his personal and professional background. These included false claims about his education, past employment at major financial institutions, charitable work, and even his family history.
Santos is expected to serve his sentence in a federal facility that has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Top Questions About George Santos’s Prison Sentence
1. Why is George Santos going to prison?
He pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with schemes involving campaign finance fraud, unemployment benefit fraud, and identity theft. He was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.
2. When will Santos report to prison?
He is required to surrender to federal authorities by July 25, 2025.
3. What other penalties did he receive?
Santos was ordered to pay $374,000 in restitution, forfeit more than $205,000 in assets, and will serve two years of supervised release after his prison term.
4. What exactly did he do wrong?
According to prosecutors, Santos used fraudulent campaign donations for personal purchases, stole donor identities to make unauthorized contributions, lied on financial disclosure forms, and illegally collected COVID-era unemployment benefits.
5. Was he expelled from Congress?
Yes. Santos was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2023 following an Ethics Committee investigation. He is the sixth member of Congress ever expelled.
6. Why did he say he’s “not suicidal”?
Ahead of reporting to prison, Santos posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account stating that he was of sound mind and “not suicidal,” apparently as a precautionary message about his safety behind bars.
7. Where will he serve his sentence?
The Bureau of Prisons has not publicly announced where Santos will be incarcerated as of this writing.
8. Did he ask for a pardon?
Santos said he is not seeking a pardon but his legal team is reportedly exploring all legal options, including executive clemency.
9. How long was his original indictment?
The full indictment included 23 felony charges, although Santos only pleaded guilty to two of them in a deal that avoided trial.
10. Is Santos still active on social media?
He stated that he will deactivate his social media accounts after entering prison, though his X account remained active as of mid-July.
