Prosecutors are seeking for more than seven years in prison for the dishonorable former Rep. George Santos after pleading guilty to federal fraud and identity theft charges.
A US lawyer for the Eastern District of New York argued in court Friday that a “unparalleled crime” by the New York Republicans committed a “ock ha ha” in the country’s electoral system, which justified a key sentence.
“From the creation of his completely fictional biographies to his sober theft from older people and disabled donors, the unbounded greed and greedy appetite for Santos’ fame allowed him to misuse the very system we choose to represent,” the agency writes.
Prosecutors also alleged that Santos had been “unrepentant and rebellious” for years, dismissing the prosecutor as a “witch hunt” and refused to resign from Congress when the web of lies was exposed.
They have made his claims of regret after admitting his guilty “Ring Hollow,” suggesting that he “is likely to attack again” given that he has not confiscated his unjust profits or paid off the victim.
Santos’ attorney in an email to The Associated Press dismissed the seven-year proposal as “absurd and unfounded,” saying it was “designed to be beaten by a man who has already been fully responsible for his actions.”
In a note to their own sentencing Friday, they rejected the concept of Santos returning to criminal activity, noting that he has no prior criminal history and also provides “significant” support to his sister and her young daughter.
They argued for a two-year sentence. This is the mandatory minimum sentence for identity theft.
The lawyers argue that such a ruling coincides with those handed over to other politicians facing similar financial crimes as former US Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.
They also touted Santos’ cooperation in another federal investigation into a Texan man who tried to throw Santos out of nearly $1 million by offering a political amendment offer to destroy the evidence in his case.
“This sentence, coupled with the consequences of the serious collateral that Santos has already suffered, includes his parliamentary seat and public humiliation — will send a clear message that such conduct is not tolerated,” the lawyer wrote.
A federal judge on Long Island is expected to decide Santos’ ruling during the April 25th court hearing.
The former rising Republican, who represented Queens and parts of Long Island, served in just one year in office before being expelled by a House colleague in 2023.
Santos’ political end came after it was revealed that he had created many of the stories of his life.
Now 36, he graduated from top universities, worked for the prestigious Wall Street company and cast himself as a wealthy businessman who held valuable real estate portfolios. In fact, he was struggling financially and faced eviction.
Santos in August granted him a donation to his parliamentary campaign, deceiving voters, stealing the identities of almost 12 people, including his own family.
He was originally scheduled to be sentenced in February, but the judge gave him three months to fine him more than $500,000.
As part of his plea agreement, Santos agreed to confiscate nearly $375,000 in compensation and $205,000.
Santos’ lawyers said at the time he only had $1,000 on liquid assets and needed more time to build a newly launched podcast called “Pants on Fire” to begin paying off his debts.
Prosecutors claim that Santos has made a spectacular profit from his infamous name, claiming that since his banishment from Congress he has made more than $800,000 from his cameo appearances on video sharing websites and new documentaries.
Two of Santos campaign staff have pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with the campaign finance scheme.
His previous campaign fundraiser, Sam Miele, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison in March. He allowed to raise cash for Santos’ campaigns, but without approval, impersonate a high-ranking parliamentary aide and charge the donor’s credit card.
Nancy Marks, former Santos campaign treasurer, has approved the filing of fake campaign finance reports filled with fake donors and fake $500,000 personal loans from Santos herself.
Decoration helped the campaign reach the funding threshold required to qualify for financial support from the National Republican Party. Mark is scheduled to be declared in May.
