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Santos’ Legal Drama Continues with Sentencing Pushback

The postponement of George Santos sentencing proves that controversy of his legal and political demise is far from being settled.

George Santos Former United States Representative
George Santos Former United States Representative. Credit | AP


United States: A federal judge on Wednesday put off George Santos’ sentencing on fraud and identity theft charges, which he requested due to the “Pants on Fire” podcast he started to pay off more than $500,000 owed.

U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip, New York, has moved Santos’ sentencing from February 7 to April 25 to detain him, saying it was a “one-time courtesy” to achieve the purpose of justice, as reported by Reuters.

Request for Adjournment Sparks Debate

Santos’ attorneys had asked for a six-month adjournment. They described it in the briefs as a typical and ‘far from remarkable’ motion that would increase victim recoveries and facilitate better preparation for sentencing.

Santos wanted the extra time to promote himself, according to the prosecution, who mocked the proposal, claiming that “allowing Santos to stave off sentencing specifically to monetize his infamy would send a message to the public that crime pays.”

Neither Santos’s lawyers nor the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is represented by Breon Peace, replied to requests for comments.

Charges and Plea Agreement

Santos, 36, was charged with wire fraud and identity theft and has been put to prison after pleading guilty last August to the charges, with not less than eight years imprisonment or more than 22 years in prison in case he tries to appeal the charges against him.

The plea agreement also mandates him to pay $578,753 in restitution and forfeiture, which he stated in the podcast he will use the money to fund. The identity theft charge requires the accused to serve not less than two years in prison.

Political Downfall and Legal Troubles

First elected to the House in November 2022 to represent parts of Long Island and Queens in New York City, Mr Santos’ political career has self-destructed over allegations about his fundraising and the falsehoods he told about his background, as reported by Reuters.

The Republican was indicted in May 2023 for inflating its fundraising totals and, soon after, in December 2023, kicked out of Congress.

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