Former US Congressman George Santos shared a dramatic goodbye message Thursday evening, shortly before beginning his federal imprisonment for fraud and identity theft charges.“Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” Santos wrote on X.“From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days. To my supporters: You made this wild political cabaret worth it. To my critics: Thanks for the free press,” he added. “I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit,” Santos further said.The ex-New York representative must report to federal custody Friday to commence an 87-month sentence, exceeding seven years, following his 2024 guilty plea to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.In April, US District Judge Joanna Seybert imposed the maximum sentence on Santos. He must also pay approximately $374,000 in restitution and surrender over $205,000 in fraudulent gains.His admission of guilt followed an extensive investigation into campaign finance violations, stolen donor identities and fraudulent Covid-era unemployment claims.“This prosecution speaks to the truth that my office is committed to aggressively rooting out public corruption,” said US Attorney John J. Durham, who described the sentence as “judgment day” for Santos and justice for his victims. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly noted Santos “traded in his integrity for designer clothes and a luxury lifestyle.”Prosecutors claim Santos and his campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, manipulated donor reports to secure national Republican party funding. They created false contributions from Santos’ family and incorrectly reported a $500,000 loan from Santos, despite him having less than $8,000 in his accounts.He additionally stole donors’ credit card details, including “victims he knew were elderly persons suffering from cognitive impairment or decline” and made unauthorised purchases for campaign and personal use, according to the DOJ. Santos also utilised a fraudulent political fundraising organisation to obtain tens of thousands of dollars, spending it on “designer clothing.”During the pandemic, Santos wrongfully claimed over $24,000 in unemployment benefits whilst employed at an investment firm. He also submitted inaccurate congressional financial disclosures to the House.Santos won election in 2022 after securing New York’s 3rd District for the GOP. His credentials were proven false. He fabricated academic qualifications, Wall Street employment and family connections to the Holocaust and 9/11.Following a damning ethics report, he was removed from Congress in December 2023, becoming only the sixth member ever expelled from the People’s House.After his sentencing, Santos has maintained a public presence, offering video messages on Cameo and remaining active on social media.Without a pardon, Santos will likely remain imprisoned until at least early 2032. Reports quoted by Fox News claim he has sought clemency from President Donald Trump.
