George Santos Begins Prison Sentence for Fraud

Former Congressman George Santos has begun serving an 87-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey after pleading guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and other charges. Santos, the first openly gay nonincumbent Republican elected to Congress, was expelled from the House in December 2023 following revelations of extensive resume fabrication and campaign finance fraud. He is required to pay nearly $580,000 in restitution and forfeiture. Before reporting to prison, Santos posted flamboyant social media farewells and paid Cameo videos, reflecting on his controversial career and addressing both supporters and critics. He has expressed concerns for his safety in prison and uncertainty about the possibility of a presidential pardon. Santos maintains that his punishment is politically motivated, and his case continues to resonate as a major political scandal.