Ex-US congressman Santos pleads guilty in corruption case; faces at least 2 years in jail
“I deeply regret my conduct and the harm it has caused and accept full responsibility for my actions,” Santos said in court, his voice shaking as he read from a prepared statement.
Santos was hit with federal charges in May 2023 for laundering campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, charging donors’ credit cards without their consent, and receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed.
His indictment prompted lawmakers to expel him from the House of Representatives in December. “To hell with this place,” he said soon afterwards.
Santos spent much of his 11 months in office engulfed in scandal and marginalised by his fellow lawmakers following revelations that he had lied about much of his past.
A bipartisan investigation by the House Ethics Committee found he spent campaign money on Botox, luxury brands such as Hermes, and OnlyFans, an online platform known for sexual content.
Santos’ seat, which represents a small slice of New York City and some of its eastern suburbs, was filled in a special election in February by Democrat Tom Suozzi.