George Santos, the disgraced former congressman hailing from New York, is on the brink of beginning his prison sentence after enduring months filled with legal turmoil and intense public scrutiny. In April 2025, he received a sentence after pleading guilty to a series of serious federal charges, which included wire fraud, identity theft, and making false statements to Congress. Once regarded as a rising star in the political arena, Santos faced expulsion from the House of Representatives in December 2023, and he is now confronted with the stark reality of serving time behind bars.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know regarding his sentence and the crimes that led him to this unfortunate outcome.

Unveiling the Background of George Santos: A Political Profile

Santos is a former U.S. Representative from New York’s 3rd congressional district. Elected in 2022, he notably became the first openly gay Republican ever elected to Congress. In a post from September 2023 on X, he stated, “Yes — I am the first openly gay Republican to be elected to Congress. In NYC, coming out as a gay man was easier than coming out as a Republican. Imagine that? I am proof that the LGBTQ propagandists will never defeat freedom of thought.”

However, his time in office was brief; he was expelled from the House in December 2023 after shocking revelations surfaced regarding extensive deceptions about his personal and professional history, including false claims concerning his education, employment background, and even his heritage.

Understanding the Details of George Santos’ Sentencing

In August 2024, Santos entered a plea of guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud, identity theft, and making false statements to Congress. He confessed to stealing the identities of donors, collecting fraudulent unemployment benefits, and misappropriating campaign funds for personal use. On April 25, 2025, he was handed a sentence of 87 months in federal prison. Alongside his prison term, he was mandated to pay nearly $375,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $200,000.

As he prepared to turn himself in to prison on July 25, 2025, Santos posted a poignant farewell message on X, which stated, “Well, darlings …The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed. From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days.”

He concluded his message with the words, “I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit.”

Signing off in style, he wrote, “Forever fabulously yours, George.”

Analyzing George Santos’ Financial Status: What Is His Net Worth?

In 2022, Santos reported a net worth estimated between $1 million and $11 million, claiming assets that included personal bank accounts, a condominium in Rio de Janeiro, and various business interests. However, the authenticity of these claims has come under scrutiny, particularly given his previous financial disclosures that suggested he possessed minimal assets.

Following his removal from Congress in December 2023, Santos sought new avenues for income, turning to the personalized video platform Cameo. At first, he charged $75 per video, but he quickly raised his rate to $400 due to overwhelming demand. By February 2024, Santos claimed to have sold over 1,200 videos, amassing more than $400,000, which surpassed his former salary as a congressman.

Exploring George Santos’ Personal Life: Is He Married?

Yes, Santos is married to his husband Matheus “Matt” Gerard. The couple tied the knot in 2021, although their marriage remained largely private until September 2023 when Santos publicly acknowledged his “husband Matt” in a heartfelt tribute following the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. Santos later disclosed that he met Gerard on the dating app Grindr.

Before marrying Gerard, Santos was involved with Pedro Vilarva, a relationship that began in 2014 when Vilarva was 18 and Santos was 26. During their time together, Santos was still legally married to a woman named Uadla Vieira, a detail that Vilarva learned months into their relationship, according to reports from the New York Post. Santos proposed to Vilarva on multiple occasions, but Vilarva declined each time. Despite these rejections, Santos announced an engagement party on Facebook, which Vilarva later stated “never happened.”

Clarifying George Santos’ Family Status: Does He Have Children?

No, Santos does not have any children, which adds another layer to his complex personal narrative.