Former United States Representative George Santos was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence, handed down by Judge Joanna Seybert in the US District Court in Long Island, also requires Santos to pay $373,750 in restitution.

Santos, who was elected to Congress in 2022, quickly faced scrutiny following revelations that he fabricated numerous aspects of his personal history, including claims about his education, employment background, and financial disclosures. These allegations led to multiple charges of fraud, money laundering, and making false statements to the House of Representatives.

After months of mounting legal and political pressure, Santos was expelled from the House in December 2023. In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, culminating in his sentencing on Friday.

The case marks one of the most high-profile political scandals in recent US history, highlighting concerns over candidate vetting processes and accountability in public office.