Trump pardons former Republican congressman George Santos, who was serving a seven-year prison sentence
Former Republican Congressman George Santos, sentenced to seven years in prison for fraud and identity theft, benefited from a commutation of his sentence on Friday. Donald Trump announced that he will be released from prison, reports AFP.
Former congressman George Santos was sentenced to seven years in prison PHOTO EPA-EFE
“George Santos was in a way a “delinquent”, but in our country there are many delinquents who are not required to serve seven years in prison,” the American president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“He spent long periods of time in solitary confinement and, according to all accounts, he was treated in an appalling manner. That is why I have just signed a commutation of sentence that releases George Santos from prison IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, I wish you a beautiful life!”, the US president said in his message.
Accused of illegally using the identities and personal financial data of his campaign donors to embezzle funds, the 37-year-old former elected Republican pleaded guilty and was sentenced in April of this year. He has been in prison since July, according to news.ro.
George Santos became famous after the New York Times exposed a series of lies in his resume and campaign messages shortly after he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 as a New York state representative.
Later, following a report by the Chamber's ethics committee, he was accused of having “seriously discredited” the institution by embezzling donors' money for luxury purchases, spending in a casino, cosmetic treatments or online payments.
In December 2023, elected Republicans and Democrats voted for his impeachment and exclusion from the House of Representatives.
