NEW YORK — Former Congressman George Santos, who is currently facing the prospect of a federal prison sentence, has secured a brief extension to gather more than $580,000 in court-imposed fines, partially through efforts related to his newly launched podcast.
A New York judge ruled on Wednesday to postpone Santos’ sentencing date from February 7 to April 25. This decision follows the Republican’s guilty plea over the summer concerning federal fraud and identity theft charges.
U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert labeled the delay as a “one-time courtesy” meant to serve the interests of justice. She noted in her ruling that since Santos admitted his guilt, he has not undertaken any payments toward the substantial amount owed, nor has he shown any capability to do so, despite prior assurances.
In August, Santos admitted to misleading voters, defrauding donors, and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen individuals, including family members, to facilitate contributions to his congressional campaign. He faces restitution payments of nearly $375,000 and forfeitures totaling $205,000, along with a mandatory minimum prison term of two years, which could extend up to 22 years.
In a recent correspondence to the judge, Santos’ legal team asserted that the 36-year-old requires additional time to develop his podcast “Pants on Fire” to help cover the fines, some of which are due before his sentencing.
Prosecutors, however, opposed the requested delay, characterizing Santos’ claims of an imminent financial influx as “extremely speculative.” They raised doubts regarding his assertion of having only about $1,000 in liquid assets, contending that he has profited over $800,000 through Cameo appearances and a recent documentary since his removal from Congress in 2023.
The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York refrained from commenting on the matter. Likewise, Santos’ attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nevertheless, they labeled the prosecution’s financial allegations as “false and misleading,” asserting that their plea for additional time to arrange a significant one-time payment and prepare for sentencing was “hardly extraordinary.”
They clarified that Santos did not earn more than $400,000 from Cameo, contrary to prosecutors’ claims, but rather approximately $350,000, with most of the funds allocated towards his legal fees and living expenses long before his plea deal. Since entering the plea, Santos has struggled to secure substantial income beyond the podcast launched just last month.
In their letter, Santos’ lawyers criticized the government’s characterizations as reckless and seemingly crafted to garner media attention rather than promote the interests of justice.
Santos was elected in 2022 to represent a prosperous New York district that encompasses parts of Queens and Long Island. However, his tenure was short-lived, lasting just under a year, as allegations surrounding his fabricated biography began to surface. Claims regarding a background in prominent Wall Street firms and possession of a college degree were quickly disproven, raising significant questions about the funding of his campaign.
Ultimately, Santos became one of six House members historically expelled by their peers.
