Disgraced ex-US Rep. George Santos could face up to 7 years in federal fraud case
NEW YORK — Prosecutors are seeking more than seven years in prison for disgraced former U.S.Rep.
George Santos after he pleaded guilty to federal fraud and identity theft charges.The U.S.Attorney for the Eastern District of New York argued in a court filing Friday that a significant sentence was warranted because the New York Republican’s “unparalleled crimes” had “made a mockery” of the country’s election system.“He lied to his campaign staff, his supporters, his putative employer and congressional colleagues, and the American public,” the office wrote.
“From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos’s unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives.”The office also argued that Santos had been “unrepentant and defiant” for years, dismissing the prosecution as a “witch hunt” and refusing to resign from Congress as his web of lies was debunked.Even after pleading guilty before trial, prosecutors argued his claims of remorse “ring hollow,” noting that he has not forfeited any of his ill-gotten gains or repaid any of his victims.“The volume of Santos’s lies and his extraordinary pattern of dishonesty speaks to his high likelihood of reoffending and the concomitant need to remove him from the community he has repeatedly victimized,” prosecutors wrote.Santos’ lawyers, in their own sentencing memo Friday, rejected the notion that he’ll fall back into criminal behavior, noting he has no prior criminal record and also provides “crucial” support to his sister and her young daughter.They argued for a two-year prison term — the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft.The lawyers maintain such a sentence is in line with those handed to former U.S.Rep.
Jesse Jackson Jr.and other political figures facing similar financial crimes.They also touted Santos’...