George Santos, former U.S. congressman and son of a Brazilian immigrant, pleaded guilty to fraud charges during a court hearing on Monday (19). The sentence could reach up to 22 years in prison, according to the Reuters news agency.
In May 2023, Santos was accused of laundering campaign funds to pay personal expenses, as well as charging credit cards of donors without their consent.
Investigations also indicate that the former congressman received benefits intended for unemployed individuals while working during the pandemic.
On Monday, during a court hearing in New York, he pleaded guilty to the charges. However, the sentencing will only be announced on February 7, 2025.
“I deeply regret my conduct and the harm it caused. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he told the court.
Santos will avoid a federal trial that was scheduled to begin in September. The jury would have heard testimony from about 40 witnesses, including members of his congressional campaign, staff, and family.
Reuters reported that Santos’s confession could secure a minimum sentence of two years in prison. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that the former congressman could face more than six years in prison, in addition to being required to pay at least $370,000.
The scandals led to the former Republican congressman having his seat vacated in the U.S. Congress at the end of last year. The position was eventually filled by a Democrat.
Source: G1, Reuters, CNN, and AP