Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., on Monday pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., on Monday pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft — and admitted he committed other crimes that could land him in prison for about seven years under the terms of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Santos, in gray slacks and a black sport coat, told the judge he is « committed to making amends and learning from this experience. »
He is due to be sentenced on Feb. 7.
Santos pleaded guilty to claiming relatives had made contributions to his campaign when in fact they had not. Santos conceded he was trying to meet the fundraising threshold to qualify for financial help from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Santos also stipulated that he committed other fraud, including charging donor credit cards without authorization and convincing donors to give money by falsely stating the money would be used for TV ads. He also stipulated he stole public money by applying for and receiving unemployment benefits during the pandemic to which he was not entitled.
Santos conceded in a statement to the court his actions « betrayed » his constituents and others.
In addition to potential prison time, Santos must pay restitution of nearly $374,000 and a forfeiture of more than $200,000.
Fighting back tears outside the courthouse after his plea, Santos said he was « flooded with deep regret » for his conduct. He vowed to accept responsibility for his actions while apologizing to his former constituents for allowing « ambition to cloud [his] judgment.
