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Ex-lawmaker George Santos faces 7-year prison sentence for federal fraud, identity theft

5 April 2025 at 04:46

Disgraced former Rep. George Santos could face more than seven years in prison if New York prosecutors get their way.

Santos, 36, who became just the sixth House member to be expelled from the chamber and the first Republican, pleaded guilty to federal fraud and identity theft charges in August as part of a plea deal after having been indicted on felony charges.

The former lawmaker stole from political donors, used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth and collected unemployment benefits while actually working.

GEORGE SANTOS ENDS CONGRESSIONAL RUN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS INTO INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN

"No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit," Santos posted on X Friday in the wake of a court filing by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Santos has already agreed to serve a minimum of two years in prison and was expected to be sentenced in February but asked the court to postpone sentencing until he can make enough money from his podcast to pay the nearly $600,000 he owes in restitution and forfeiture.

Prosecutors alleged he had raked in around $800,000 from appearances on the Cameo app, with previous reports suggesting he was charging $350 a pop for videos featuring his drag alter ego Kitara Ravache. Santos previously denied ever dressing as a drag queen or associating with drag queens.

Prosecutors argued in the filing Friday that Santos warrants a significant sentence because his "unparalleled crimes" had "made a mockery" of the country’s election system.

"From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos’s unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives," the office wrote.

EX-LAWMAKER GEORGE SANTOS OFFERING CAMEO VIDEOS WITH HIS DRAG QUEEN ALTER EGO

They wrote that he had been unrepentant for years and blasted investigations into his crimes as a "witch hunt."

They also said his claims of remorse after pleading guilty "ring hollow" and suggested he has a "high likelihood of reoffending" given he has not forfeited any of his ill-gotten gains or repaid any of his victims.

The lawyers maintain such a sentence is in line with those handed to former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and other political figures facing similar financial crimes.

Santos' legal team asked for a two-year sentence in a Friday court filing. His lawyer, Andrew Mancilla, said prosecutors were selling a false narrative to the court.

"The government wants headlines, not justice. This vindictive 87-month demand ignores sentencing norms for similar cases," Mancilla said.

The freshman lawmaker was expelled a year into his first term in the House in the wake of a damning House Ethics Committee report that found he misused campaign funds on luxury items and OnlyFans, among other things. He had not been convicted of a crime at the time. 

During his campaign, Santos claimed that he attended New York University, that he had worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and that his grandparents had fled the Nazis during World War Two. None of those claims were true.

Santos was once touted as a rising political star after he flipped the suburban district that covers the affluent North Shore of Long Island and a slice of the New York City borough of Queens in 2022.

Last year he failed in an attempt to relaunch his political career by running as an Independent in a neighboring district to re-enter the House.

Fox News’ Stepheny Price and Anders Hagstrom as well as The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell says home was broken into shortly before his start in home opener

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell says his Seattle-area home was broken into last week.

No one was at the home at the time of the break-in. Snell was in Los Angeles for the Dodgers' home opener the following day, which he started.

"I can confirm that our home was recently broken into," Snell said in a statement, via NBC KING 5. "Thankfully no one was harmed. We’re working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for their swift response and ongoing support. 

"We have security footage that is actively assisting in the investigation, and we’re confident the individuals responsible will be caught and removed from our community. If you know something, say something — please contact local law enforcement."

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Police were notified of the break-in March 26, one day before the game. Officers found a broken window when they arrived at the home.

Edmonds Police Commander Josh McClure said it was unclear whether anything had been stolen because "there had clearly been some high-value items that had been left there."

Snell's home was broken into the same week as former Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman's in nearby King County. The homes are separated by a 6-mile ferry ride.

PHILLIES' MATT STRAHM CALLS FOR PITCHERS TO USE PINE TAR AGAIN IN RESPONSE TO TORPEDO BAT CRAZE

"Of course, there's always the possibility that they're connected. We don't have enough information to say they're connected," McClure said.

A number of break-ins were reported at the homes of several high-profile athletes during the fall, including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow, prompting alerts from leagues to use caution.

Tua Tagovailoa said he hired armed security and jokingly dared burglars to try breaking into his home.

Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, signed a five-year, $162 million deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, joining an already stacked squad. The Dodgers' home opener was their third regular-season game after they played a two-game set in Tokyo earlier in the month.

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Luka Dončić's home burglarized, adding to list of targeted homes of high-profile athletes

28 December 2024 at 11:57

After the homes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow were burglarized in recent weeks, the ring has hit the NBA.

Luka Dončić's home was broken into Friday night, his business manager, Lara Beth Seager, told ESPN.

Nobody was home at the time of the burglary, and everyone is safe, Seager said.

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The crime occurred two days after Dončić' sustained a calf strain, which will cause him to miss roughly a month.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported last month that the FBI is investigating the crime spree, "which is believed to be tied to a South American crime syndicate." 

The NFL cautioned players to be on high alert after homes were targeted last month that were believed to be tied to international organized crime. 

The targeted NFL stars all had their homes burglarized while they were playing road games. Dončić's Dallas Mavericks were in Phoenix Friday playing against the Suns.

LEBRON JAMES TROLLED FOR SAYING CHRISTMAS BELONGS TO NBA AFTER NFL VIEWERSHIP IS REVEALED

In the memo, the league also urged players to take precautions, including installing home security systems. They were also encouraged not to post images of expensive items or live updates of their whereabouts on social media. 

"I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one. And way more is already out there than I would want out there and that I care to share. So, that's all I got to say about that," Burrow said earlier this month.

"We live a public life, and one of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy. And that has been difficult for me to deal with my entire career. Still learning. But I understand it's the life that we choose. Doesn't make it any easier to deal with."

Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

Tua Tagovailoa says he has armed security after burglaries at NFL players' homes: 'Think twice'

11 December 2024 at 15:47

There's a new burglary ring, and it's targeting NFL players.

The homes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow have all been broken into recently, but it will be tough for anyone to get into Tua Tagovailoa's place.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback said Wednesday he has "personal security" to keep him and his family safe.

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Tagovailoa said he made the decision shortly after one of his cars was broken into.

"It's a little too close for my comfort with my family being in the house. So, we got personal security to take care of all that. When we're on the road, we got someone with my wife. We got someone surveying that house," he said.

He then gave a stern warning.

"They are armed, so I hope if you decide to go to my house, you think twice."

JOE BURROW'S HOUSE BURGLARIZED WHILE PLAYING COWBOYS ON MONDAY NIGHT: REPORT

Burrow's home was burglarized while he was in Dallas facing the Cowboys Monday. The NFL recently sent out a memo regarding the incidents.

The league cautioned players to be on high alert after homes were hit last month that were believed to be tied to international organized crime. 

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported last month that the FBI is investigating the crime spree, "which is believed to be tied to a South American crime syndicate." 

According to the report, at least one other NFL player had his home burglarized.

In the memo, the league also urged players to take precautions, including installing home security systems. They were also encouraged not to post images of expensive items or live updates of their comings and goings on social media. 

The burglaries have happened during players' games.

Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

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