Fraudster Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months

By Leader Staff

Disgraced fraudster ex-Congressman George Santos (R-Huntington) was sentenced by Federal Judge Joanna Seybert to 87 months in federal prison for his multiple lies, scams and frauds during his run for US Congress.

The North Shore Leader broke the story of Santos' frauds in September, 2022 - the only newspaper to report on Santos' frauds before the November, 2022 election.

"This newspaper would like to endorse a Republican for US Congress in NY3...  But the GOP nominee - George Santos - is so bizarre, unprincipled and sketchy that we cannot... We endorse Democrat Robert Zimmerman," wrote the Leader in October, 2022. "Santos brags about his “wealth” and his “mansions” in the Hamptons – but he really lives in a row house in Queens. He boasts like an insecure child - but he's most likely just a fabulist - a fake."

That fraud included Santos' filing false campaign disclosures to the FEC and US Congress.  And stealing unemployment insurance benefits and credit card fraud.

Santos was given 90 days - until July 25, 2025 - to turn himself into Court.

At the sentencing at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Santos cried like a baby, but then snarled that his frauds were the fault of his former campaign treasurer. The Judge rejected Santos crying and gave him the maximum that was recommended by the federal prosecutors. 

Santos was "crying because he knows that he’s getting bitten on the ass and he’s gotta go away now,” stated US Navy veteran Richard Osthoff - who was victimized by one of Santos' scams. “Have fun, George.”

Osthoff had a service dog "Sapphire" that needed emergency cancer surgery - and Santos "volunteered" to help Osthoff run a charity fundraiser.  But after the money was raised - about $3,500 - Santos stole the money and disappeared.  Sapphire never had the surgery, and then died from the cancer.