Updated on: April 25, 2025 / 11:31 PM EDT / CBS New York
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on federal wire fraud and identity theft charges Friday in New York.
The judge handed down the maximum sentence of 87 months just before noon in Central Islip on Long Island.
Federal prosecutors say the former congressman exaggerated or fabricated large parts of his backstory to defraud voters and donors in New York's 3rd Congressional District. He faced nearly a dozen criminal charges before pleading guilty to two counts last August.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York John Durham spoke to reporters after the sentencing and called Santos' crimes an "affront to our electoral process, our representative government and the people of New York's 3rd Congressional District."
"But today, finally, Santos has been held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft. He's going to federal prison and he's going to be punished for his staggering fraud, for the abuses he put on our electoral process, for mocking our democratic institutions and, most importantly, for betraying and defrauding his supporters, his voters, his donors, federal agencies, state agencies," Durham said outside the courthouse. "Today's sentence demonstrates that this egregious conduct will not, and never will be, tolerated."
"Come July 25th, George Santos will finally be where he belongs - behind bars, answering for these crimes," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.
CBS News reached Santos by phone as he was driving to court Friday morning, and he said he was resigned to the fact the judge could impose a stiff sentence. He said he had no expectations about the judge's decision or when he would have to report to prison. Santos has said he will not beg for a pardon.
The 36-year-old walked into the courthouse through a crush of reporters and photographers. He was seen hugging supporters and looking very somber, with bloodshot eyes, as he went inside.
At sentencing, the federal judge said, "Where is your remorse? It's always someone else's fault."
Santos read a statement to the judge, saying through tears he was humbled and that he shattered the faith of many people. He offered his deepest apologies and admitted that he betrayed his supporters and the institutions he was sworn to serve. He went on to say he cannot rewrite the past but he asked for a balanced sentence, adding he can contribute to the community he wronged.
He was later seen leaving the courthouse with his attorneys. It's unclear when he will report for his sentence.
Outside, a crowd of his former constituents gathered with signs that read "Truth Matters" and "We Refuse to Be Deceived Again."
"My reaction in sitting in the courtroom was 'cry me a river,'" said Jody Kass Finkel, with Concerned Citizens of NY-03.
A few fans were in the courtroom, as well.
"Donald Trump will commute his sentence, and he should. And he should," Santos supporter David Rem said.
The U.S. Department of Justice wanted Santos to serve 87 months in prison, while his lawyers sought just 24 months.
In a recent filing, the DOJ said he remains "unrepentant for his crimes" and pointed to various social media posts it said are "hardly an expression of 'genuine remorse.'"
Santos wrote to the judge earlier this week asking for leniency and saying he accepts responsibility.
"This case has cost me my congressional seat, my reputation, my livelihood, and, most painful of all, the confidence of people who believed