A disgraced former Republican representative has resigned himself to the likely possibility he’ll be sentenced to 87 months in prison.
Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) said this week he is fully prepared to serve the full 87-month prison sentence that federal prosecutors are seeking in his wire fraud and identity theft case, though he remains hopeful the judge will show leniency.
“Right now, my expectation is I’m going to prison for 87 months,” Santos told The New York Times in a Wednesday phone interview. “I’m totally resigned.”
In a somber reflection, Santos added, “I came to this world alone. I will deal with it alone, and I will go out alone.”
During an interview Thursday on One America News with former Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Santos said he hopes the judge overseeing Friday’s sentencing hearing maintains impartiality.
“What I hope happens tomorrow is that the judge is fair, balanced, and even. And, unlike federal prosecutors who are trying to drop a anchor on my head…, she is a lot more matter-of-fact and doesn’t take this… in a personal direction,” Santos said.
While taking “full responsibility for bad actions,” Santos suggested the government’s recommendation is disproportionate. “I feel like seven years, you don’t see some pretty bad people get that long.”
He declined to say what sentence he believes is fair but added, “I know seven years is pretty, pretty out there, in my opinion.”
From Congress to Solitary Confinement
Santos, who became a lightning rod for controversy before being expelled from Congress, said he plans to request protective custody due to safety concerns.
“Number one is, I plan to serve the entirety of any [incarcerated] sentence in solitary confinement because I fear for my safety,” he told Gaetz.
His legal team has requested a significantly reduced sentence of two years — the mandatory minimum for aggravated identity theft — while prosecutors argue the severity of his deception justifies the maximum.
When asked whether President Trump’s recent pardon of a former Las Vegas councilwoman convicted of wire fraud offers him hope, Santos confirmed he has not formally requested one — but remains optimistic.
“I haven’t petitioned the president for a pardon,” Santos said. “A lot of people keep asking me this, but obviously, if the president were to extend one, I’d be humbly grateful, because he’d be taking a major weight off my back.”
He added, “Hope’s the last to die — like, I can hope for many things, and I do hope that hopefully he takes a look at me, too.”
