The biggest American liar received seven years in prison! In court, he cried and asked for a minor sentence …
Former US Congressland George Santos, also known as the ‘biggest American liar’, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for a series of criminal offenses, including fraud over the Internet and a serious identity theft. Judge Joanna Seybert at the Federal Court in Central Islip, New York, made the verdict. Santos, who acknowledged guilt in August 2024, also has to pay victims of $ 370,000, and will take away more than $ 200,000 illegally acquired property.
Recall that George Santos was elected to the US Congress House of Representatives in 2022, presenting the 3rd New York district. His choice helped the Republican Party ensure a close majority. However, even before he passed his oath, his biography began to fade. The investigation revealed that Santos invented almost his entire life story: he lied about his education (claiming that he graduated from College of Baruch and New York University), employment (stating that he worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup) and even even family heritage (falsely claiming that his grandparents fled before Holocaust).
The federal prosecutors requested and received a maximum sentence of 87 months, pointing out that Santos « mocked our electoral system » and used a « fully fabricated biography to enrich and reach one of the highest functions. »
– Today, George Santos is finally responsible for the mountain of lies, theft and fraud he has committed … This verdict shows that such unheard of behavior will not, and will never, tolerate – said US Attorney General John J. Durham.
FBI and Tax Administration officials (IRS) also emphasized the seriousness of Santos’ works, pointing out that he issued the public confidence and abused the system for personal benefit. Santos must surrender to the authorities until July 25.
At the sentencing, the 36-year-old Santos cried, stating that he was « humble » and that he had « failed the trust » that was shown to him.
– I offer my deepest apology. I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the path that is before me – he told the court, praying for a balanced sentence.
Prior to the verdict, Santos wrote to the judge seeking a mild sentence of only 24 months, claiming he accepted responsibility. However, the prosecutors stated in the court that Santos did not repent of his crimes, pointing to his posts on social networks as a proof of a lack of « sincere remorse. » Judge Seybert also noticed that, despite the earnings from media appearances, Santos did not open a savings account to pay compensation.
What did the ‘greatest American liar’ commit?
Santos acknowledged the blame for the two major offenses – fraud over the Internet and the serious theft of identity.
The fraud from the Internet was related to the fakeing scheme of the campaign financial statements to qualify for the support program of the National Particular Committee. With former Nancy Marks Campaign Treasurer (who also acknowledged guilt), he falsely portrayed donations from family members and invented a $ 500,000 campaign loan, although he had less than $ 8,000 at the account at the time. In terms of severe identity theft, it is associated with the same scheme of fakeing financial statements.
As part of the settlement on the confession of guilt, Santos recognized and the court took into account several more acts when determining the sentence:
He committed a credit card fraud by stealing the personal and financial information of the donors of the campaign donors, including the elderly with cognitive difficulties, and durablely charged their cards. He transferred the money to his and other campaigns and his personal account. He used the funds for personal costs, including the purchase of designer clothing, raising cash and payment of debts.
He also committed a fraud when collecting political donations. Through his company, he cheated on two donors for a total of $ 50,000, falsely claiming that money would be used for a campaign, and actually used it for personal needs.
There is also a fraud with unemployment fees. He reported and received more than $ 24,000 unemployment fees during Pandemia Covid-19, falsely claiming to be unemployed, although he was employed at the time and received a salary.
In his financial reports, he drastically exaggerated his revenues and property to the Congress, fakeing the high salary and millions of dividends from his Devolder Organization and non -existent bank accounts.
Due to these discoveries and ethical violations, Santos was thrown out of the House of Representatives in December 2023, becoming only a sixth member in history who experienced that fate.
