Disgraced former Rep. George Santos pleads guilty to federal charges

Central Islip, New York CNN —

Former Republican Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty on Monday to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges stemming from fraudulent activity during his 2022 midterm campaign.

The guilty plea comes just weeks before the ex-congressman was set to stand trial on nearly two dozen federal charges, including allegations of fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misusing campaign funds and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports, all of which he had to admit to in an allocution statement Monday.

Santos will serve a minimum of two years in prison as part of the stipulated agreement and pay restitution of $373,000. His sentencing hearing is set for February 2025.

“I deeply regret my conduct,” Santos said in court Monday. “I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, the former congressman said he had “allowed ambition to cloud my judgment.”

“Pleading guilty is a step I never imagined I’d take, but it’s the right thing to do,” Santos said. “It is my own recognition of the lies I told myself.”

Prosecutors said they were prepared to show during trial over 500 exhibits of evidence, including cell phone evidence, information downloaded from Santos’ iCloud account and financial records.

The plea to charges of committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft marks an end to the nearly two-year saga that saw Santos lie about his resume as he sought election to New York’s 3rd Congressional District. He won the seat but was ultimately charged with 23 federal counts and was dramatically expelled from Congress last year.

Prosecutors, in two batches of charges last year, alleged Santos committed fraud related