WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday announced commuting the sentence of a former U.S. congressman. George Santoswho I am serving He pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft charges and served more than seven years in federal prison.
The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting to defrauding 11 donors, including his own family, last year and stealing their personal information to donate to his campaign.
he reported to On July 25, at the Federal Correctional Facility in Fairton, southern New Jersey, a prisoner is being held in a minimum security prison camp with fewer than 50 other inmates.
“I just signed a commutation of sentence for the immediate release of George Santos,” President Trump posted on his social media platforms.
Santos made the allegations in a social media post, pleading with the Trump administration to intervene within hours of receiving the ruling. interview It was too harsh and politically motivated.
Distinguished former House colleague, U.S. Representative. marjorie taylor greenHe also urged the White House to commute his sentence, calling it a “gross injustice” and the product of judicial overreach in a letter sent just days after he was jailed.
The judge in Santos’ case agreed with federal prosecutors that a harsher sentence was warranted because Santos did not appear to be remorseful, despite arguments from Santos and his attorney.
Santos’ resignation is Trump’s latest high-profile move. act of generosity For the former Republican politician since retaking the White House in January.
In late May, he pardoned a former U.S. congressman. michael grimma New York Republican, pleaded guilty in 2014 to underreporting wages and earnings at a restaurant he operated in Manhattan.
He also pardoned the former governor of Connecticut. john rowlandHis promising political career was upended by a corruption scandal and two stints in federal prison.
Mr. Trump himself convicted in a New York court A lawsuit over hush money payments arose last year. He derided the incident as part of a politically motivated witch hunt.
Mr. Santos was once a rising star in the Republican Party.
He became the first openly gay Republican in 2022, flipping a House seat representing Queens and parts of Long Island.
However, his term ended after less than a year when it was revealed that Santos had fabricated much of his life history. investigation It investigated how a then-unknown politician financed a winning campaign.
Santos, the son of Brazilian immigrants, claimed to be a successful business consultant with Wall Street credentials and a vast real estate portfolio.
He eventually admitted that he had never graduated from Baruch College nor was he a standout player on Manhattan College’s volleyball team, as he had claimed. He had never worked at Citigroup or Goldman Sachs.
he wasn’t Even Jews. Despite being raised Catholic, Santos claimed that meant she was “Jewish” because her mother’s family had a Jewish background.
In fact, the 34-year-old was in financial trouble and on the verge of eviction.
Santos was indicted in 2023 Steal from donors and their campaignsfraudulently collected unemployment benefits and lied to Congress about his wealth.
Within a few months, he expelled from the US House of Representatives — just 6th member It goes down in the history of the chamber where he was expelled by his colleagues.
Santos pleaded guilty The following year, just as he was scheduled to go on trial.
