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August 19, 2024 – Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, telling reporters outside the courtroom that the guilty plea was “the right thing to do.”
“This statement is more than an admission of guilt,” Santos told the outlet. “It is a recognition that I need to take responsibility like every other American who has violated the law.”
In court, Santos, wearing grey pants and a black sports jacket, told the judge he was “committed to making amends and learning from this experience.”
He will be sentenced on February 7.
Santos, who admitted that he claimed family members had donated to his campaign when they had not, acknowledged that he was working to meet fundraising thresholds to qualify for financial assistance from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Santos also pointed out that he committed other frauds, including unauthorized charges to donors’ credit cards and persuading donors to give money by falsely claiming that the donations would be used for television ads. He also said he stole public funds by applying for and receiving unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to during the pandemic.
In a statement to the court, Santos acknowledged that his actions “betrayed” his constituents and others.
In addition to possible prison time, Santos must pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $200,000.
Santos faces a sentence of 75 to 87 months, including a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft.
Santos held back tears outside the courtroom after delivering a statement in which he said he “deeply regretted” his actions. He pledged to take responsibility for his actions while also apologizing to his former constituents for “ambition clouding (his) judgement.”
“It is now clear to me that I allowed ambition to cloud my judgment and led me to make unethical decisions,” Santos said. “Pleading guilty is a step I never thought I would take, but it is necessary because it is the right thing to do.”
Santos acknowledged that he had failed voters and said he wanted to be part of “restoring integrity” that had been undermined by his lies.
“Representing you has been the greatest accomplishment of my life, and I believe I have done the best I could, but you also trusted me to represent you honorably and to defend the values that are fundamental to our democracy, and in that sense, I have let you down,” he said to the Saints.
While Santos pledged to take full responsibility for his actions, his attorney noted in the final moments of this afternoon’s plea hearing that the former congressman may not be able to pay more than $200,000 in restitution.
Santos must pay the restitution 30 days before sentencing on Feb. 7 and could face additional penalties if he doesn’t.
“Right now he has no money,” defense attorney Andrew Mancilla told federal Judge Joanna Seibert.
Defense attorney Joseph Murray insisted
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