President Donald Trump commuted the 87-month prison sentence of openly gay former U.S. Rep. George Santos (RN.Y.), who pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August 2024.
President Trump commuted his sentence, allowing the 37-year-old former congressman to be free and start his life again. Before his incarceration, Santos made money with Cameo, charging up to $350 for personalized video messages ranging from birthday greetings to special occasion cheers.
The one-term lawmaker, who was elected in 2022 amid a Republican “wave” in New York, admitted to defrauding donors and stealing the personal information of more than a dozen people, including relatives, to finance his campaign.
Santos took the plea deal after being indicted on about 20 charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, identity theft and theft of public funds. He also admitted to fraudulently claiming more than $24,000 in coronavirus unemployment benefits intended for unemployed Americans.
As part of the deal, Santos was sentenced to just over seven years in prison, ordered to pay $374,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $205,000 he obtained through fraud.
A senior White House official said. NBC President Trump’s decision follows appeals from friends and allies calling for pardons for the disgraced lawmaker. The official added that Trump read Santos’ speech. prison A book that describes his harsh living conditions.
Mr. Santos had previously vowed not to ask Mr. Trump for a pardon, but he wrote a text that appeared to be flattering and flattering. letter Published in south shore pressportrayed himself as a loyal Republican foot soldier and directly begged for clemency.
Mr. Santos begged the president, pretending to be a martyr who would “endure punishment far beyond the demands of justice.”
“Sir, I appeal to you for your sense of justice and humanity, the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you. I ask that you consider the extraordinary pain and hardship of this environment, and give me the opportunity to return to my family, friends, and community. All I want is to start over – to contribute, to serve, and to rebuild my life from the ashes of my past,” Santos wrote.
“You have always been a second-chance person and a leader who believes in redemption and rebirth,” he continued. “I now ask from the depths of my heart that you extend that same belief to me.”
President Trump announced the deletion of his comments on Truth Social and attacked Sen. Dick Blumenthal (D-Conn.), likening Blumenthal’s false reporting about his military service to Santos’ fabrications about his career, family and fundraising, and calling the senator’s actions “much worse.”
“[A]At least Santos always had the courage, conviction, and intelligence to vote Republican! “George has been held in solitary confinement for an extended period of time and has been brutally abused by all accounts,” Trump wrote, echoing the arguments of far-right Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who have called for clemency and questioned Santos’ treatment in federal prison.
“Therefore, I will sign a commutation of sentence and release George Santos immediately,” President Trump concluded. “Good luck, George, and have a great life!”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
