Former congress representative George Santos has formally pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and admitted to a number of other crimes.
If convicted of crimes both admitted and pled, he could face up to 7 years in prison. This follows a previous lying scandal, which had placed the spotlight on his actions in office.
Congress Expulsion
On Tuesday, Santos pled guilty to the charges, having previously put in a plea of not guilty.
He was expelled from congress in December 2023, having previously survived an expulsion vote the month prior.
Fraud-Related Expulsion
The expulsion had been due to 23 fraud-related charges that had been made against him during his tenure.
Expulsion is a serious course of action, having only been taken 6 times, and he is the first Republican to have been expelled from Congress.
Flooded With Regret
Santos was speaking through tears as reporters questioned him outside court after his plea.
He apologized for his actions, saying that he was “flooded with deep regret.”
Who Is George Santos?
The former Congress representative was born to Brazilian parents on July 22, 1988.
He first ran for election in 2020, but was only elected to Congress in a subsequent campaign in January 2023, and was the first openly-LGBT Republican to achieve the position.
Almost Immediate Scandals
Santos was beset with scandal early in his Congressional career, as details of his past emerged.
It was reported soon after he took office that much of his biography had been fabricated, including his education, employment, and business activities.
Criminal Charges
Although reports came out about his lies early in 2023, it was not until May 2023 that he received formal, fraud-related charges.
Following 13 charges in May, including theft of public funds and money laundering, 10 more charges were brought against him in October.
Change of Heart
Up until this point, Santos had pled guilty on all counts, so his about turn represents a change of legal position.
He said, to gathered reporters: “Pleading guilty is a step I never imagined I would take, but it is a necessary one, because it is the right thing to do.”
Reasoning for Actions
Santos attempted to provide an explanation for his actions, which he admitted were immoral.
“It is clear to me now that I allowed ambition to cloud my judgment, leading me to make decisions that were unethical,” he said.
Ethics Report
Alongside formal criminal charges, the House Ethics Committee have also come to similarly damaging conclusions regarding Santos’ conduct.
The detailed report concluded: “George Santos cannot be trusted. At nearly every opportunity, he placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles.”
