Jorge Santos, the disgraced former congressman whose political career unraveled after he admitted fabricating key elements of his background, pleaded guilty Monday. to a pair of felony fraud charges.
Santos, who was expelled from Congress on Dec. 1, faces a 23-count indictment in U.S. District Court in New York, including charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. He was charged first 13 counts Last year in May.
“I am deeply sorry for my conduct, I fully accept responsibility for my actions, and I understand that my actions betrayed the trust of my supporters,” Santos said in court Monday.
He later married Alphonse M. in Central Islip. D’Amato was in tears as he spoke to reporters outside the US court.
“I am committed to making amends for the wrongs I have done,” he said. “This plea is not just an admission of guilt. It is an admission that I am held accountable like every other American who breaks the law.”
Prosecutors alleged that Santos, a New York Republican, “stolen people’s identities and charged his own donors’ credit cards without their authorization, lied to the FEC, and lied to the public about his campaign’s financial status.”
He “went to court on a campaign of lies,” U.S. Attorney Brion Pease told reporters outside court, and now, “finally, under oath, told the truth. The truth is, he’s a criminal.”
As part of the deal, Santos pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and identity theft, but admitted to all of the conduct he was charged with. Kovid falsely claimed unemployment benefits while he was on the job, Cheating donors, using the identities of his relatives to enrich himself and lead a luxurious life.
“By pleading guilty, Mr. Santos has admitted to repeatedly defrauding federal and state government agencies and his own family, supporters and constituents. His blatant and despicable behavior will be exposed and punished,” Chanach said in a statement late Monday.
The charges carry a minimum sentence of two years and a maximum of 22 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Jonah Seibert told Santos that sentencing guidelines call for him to serve six to eight years. He will be sentenced on February 7.
As part of the agreement, he must pay restitution of $373,749.97 and forfeit $205,002.97.
After his initial trial last year, Santos said he was being politically persecuted. “I will fight the witch hunt,” he said.
Santos was elected in 2022 when he flipped a congressional seat on Long Island from a Democrat to a Republican, helping ensure a narrow GOP majority in the House. A few weeks before his term began, The New York Times reported lied about or embellished Here are some parts of his resume and personal history. Many myths soon came to light, including that he was Jewish. Then he said “Jew”.
After a scathing House ethics report concluded there was “substantial evidence” that he had “violated federal criminal laws” — including using campaign money for personal expenses — two-thirds of Santos’ House colleagues expelled him from Congress in December, formally removing him. He is from his Congress seat.
Santos later began selling personalized video messages on a website called Cameo for $400 each — and he sued late-night host Jimmy Kimmel in February over a segment based on the videos called “Will Santos Say It” on his show.
Bit featured Foreign fan requests It remains to be seen from Santos if he will accept payment for the videos. One request asked a legally blind woman to congratulate a woman who got her driver’s license and was later involved in a car accident, while another asked her to show support for someone she identifies as “furry” and her “‘Fursona’. An otter-mixed platypus.” Santos provided videos for each of those requests.
Santos sued Kimmel for airing some of the video responses, claiming he was misled and seeking $150,000 in copyright infringement. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote Dismissed the case Monday.
The judge said “a reasonable observer would understand that JKL [‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’] A public figure recently expelled from Congress showed videos to comment on Santos’ willingness to say ridiculous things for money — including enriching himself through a fraudulent contribution scheme. Thus, the videos were used for political commentary and criticism.”
Alana Chadlin And Jonathan Service Contributed.
