LONG ISLAND, NY — Former Rep. George Santos, who represented parts of Nassau County and northeast Queens, was released from federal prison Friday night after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence. Santos had been serving an 87-month term for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft stemming from schemes tied to his 2022 campaign and misuse of donor identities.
Santos left the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, shortly before 11 p.m., roughly 84–90 days after reporting, following the White House commutation order. National outlets reported the decision was announced on social media earlier in the evening.
The commutation ends Santos’ prison time but does not overturn his conviction. He had pleaded guilty in 2024 and was sentenced in April 2025 in Central Islip federal court; prosecutors previously detailed restitution and forfeiture totals of about $579,000 combined.
Santos’ rise and fall has been a Long Island story from the outset: elected in 2022, he was expelled from the U.S. House in December 2023 after a scathing House Ethics report and repeated fabrications about his background, an extremely rare step taken by a two-thirds vote.
PBS
Reaction to the commutation has been swift and mixed nationally, including among Republicans, while allies argued his sentence was severe for a first-time, non-violent offender. Protests and political criticism were reported after the announcement.
Key Facts & Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Who | Former Rep. George Santos (NY-03, covering northern Nassau County and a slice of Queens) |
| What | Sentence commuted by President Trump; Santos released from FCI Fairton, NJ on Friday night |
| Original sentence | 87 months for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft; plea entered in 2024, sentence imposed April 25, 2025 |
| Time served | Approximately under three months before release following commutation |
| Money judgments (pre-clemency) | Restitution: $373,749.97; Forfeiture: $205,002.97 |
| Context | Santos was expelled from Congress Dec. 1, 2023—one of few U.S. reps removed from office |
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug. 2024 | Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. |
| Apr. 25, 2025 | Santos sentenced to 87 months in prison in Eastern District of NY. |
| Jul. 2025 | Santos begins prison term at FCI Fairton in New Jersey. |
| Oct. 17, 2025 | President Trump commutes Santos’ sentence; he is released that night |
