(New York) Former Republican representative to the US Congress George Santos, sentenced to seven years in prison for several financial crimes, saw his sentence commuted on Friday by Donald Trump, who announced that he will be released from prison.
In a publication on his Truth Social network, the American president writes that “George Santos was something of a ‘thug,’ but there are many thugs in our country who are not forced to serve seven years in prison.”
Accused of illegally using the identities and personal financial data of donors to his campaign to steal funds from them, the 37-year-old former MP pleaded guilty and was sentenced last April. He began serving his sentence in July.
He “spent long periods in solitary confinement and by all accounts was treated appallingly. This is why I just signed a sentence commutation releasing George Santos from prison IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, I wish you a good life! », Continues the American president.
Before being caught by the law, George Santos had become famous whenThe New York Times had revealed a series of lies in his CV and campaign messages, shortly after his election to the House of Representatives in 2022 for the State of New York.
Later, a report from the House Ethics Committee accused him of having “severely discredited” the institution by diverting donors’ money for luxury purchases, spending in a casino, cosmetic treatments or online payments.
In December 2023, Republican and Democratic elected officials voted to impeach him and oust him from the House.
