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George Santos: 5 Things to Know About the Former Congressman

**George Santos Expelled from Congress Following Historic Vote**

On Friday, December 1, 2023, George Santos, the 35-year-old Republican congressman, was expelled from the House of Representatives. This marked a rare occurrence, as Santos became only the sixth member in history to be ousted from Congress. The House voted overwhelmingly to remove him with a tally of 311-114, following a House Ethics Committee report accusing him of violating federal law, according to The Associated Press.

**Sentencing and Legal Battles**

In 2025, Santos was sentenced by Judge Joanna Seybert to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution for what were described as “unparalleled crimes.” A prosecutor told NBC News, “It is abundantly clear that, without a substantial deterrent, Santos will continue to deceive and defraud for years to come. That is especially true given Santos’s craven efforts to leverage his lawbreaking as a springboard to celebrity and riches.”

However, in October of the same year, former President Donald Trump commuted Santos’ sentence, securing his immediate release.

Since taking office, Santos has faced intense scrutiny over allegations that he lied about various aspects of his background. He is currently embroiled in ongoing legal battles after being charged with fraud in October 2023, charges to which he has pleaded “not guilty.”

**Life After Congress: Viral Fame and Media Spotlight**

Following his expulsion, George Santos has gained unexpected viral fame. Shortly after his departure from Congress, he began offering personalized Cameo messages for $500. He also participated in an in-depth interview with comedian Ziwe.

Most recently, it was announced that Santos will be the subject of a new documentary directed by Jenner Furst, according to The New York Times. Jenner Furst is known for acclaimed films such as *Time: The Kalief Browder Story*, which explores the tragic experience of a former inmate, and *Fyre Fraud*, which details the infamous Fyre Festival debacle.

**Historic Expulsion: Santos First Congressman Removed in 21 Years**

George Santos is only the sixth person ever to be expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives. The last expulsion occurred in 2002, when Democratic Ohio Representative James A. Traficant was removed after a federal conviction.

Historically, the first three expulsions took place in the 19th century, targeting members who supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. Another notable expulsion was of Michael J. Myers in 1980, who was convicted of bribery, according to Maine News Center.

**Details of the 23-Count Indictment**

Prior to his expulsion, Santos faced a 23-count indictment issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The indictment included:

– One count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States
– Two counts of wire fraud
– Two counts of making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC)
– Two counts of falsifying records submitted to obstruct the FEC
– Two counts of aggravated identity theft
– One count of access device fraud
– Seven additional counts of wire fraud
– Three counts of money laundering
– One count of theft of public funds
– Two counts of making materially false statements to the United States House of Representatives

Santos pleaded not guilty to all charges.

**Accusations of Extensive Lies and Misrepresentations**

Soon after his election, many of Santos’s claims about his background were called into question. Investigations revealed inconsistencies and falsehoods concerning his educational history, employment on Wall Street, and personal stories.

False claims attributed to Santos include:

– Fabricated details about his high school and college education
– Misrepresentations regarding his careers on Wall Street
– Allegations of founding an animal charity
– The claim that his mother died as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
– The story of his niece being kidnapped

Furthermore, the House Ethics Committee report accused Santos of misusing campaign funds for personal expenses such as purchases at Hermes, payments on OnlyFans, personal travel, and botox treatments.

**Personal Life: Marriage and Relationship**

George Santos, who is openly gay, has largely kept his relationship status private. Following the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein in September 2023, he revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that he is married to his husband, Matt.

Addressing questions from followers about the sudden announcement, Santos stated in October 2023: “For those wondering and going nuts, this is Matt my husband since Nov 2021. I’m not sure where all the ‘hard launch’ comments came from.”

Previously, Santos was married to a woman from 2012 until their divorce in 2019, shortly before he filed paperwork to run for office in 2020, according to The Daily Beast.

**Cultural Impact: Satire and Media Portrayal**

George Santos has also become a figure of satire in popular culture. Notably, comedian Bowen Yang impersonated Santos on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL), further cementing his status as a controversial and widely discussed personality.

As George Santos’s story continues to unfold, his extraordinary rise and fall remain a striking chapter in American political history. Stay tuned for updates on his legal battles, media appearances, and the upcoming documentary that will offer a closer look at the life of this disgraced former congressman.
https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-is-george-santos-expelled-congressman-5205718/

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