A timeline of George Santos' journey from Congress to criminal sentencing
Less than three years ago, George Santos was an up-and-coming Republican political star, flipping a House seat in New York City's suburbs.
But he soon came under fire for lying about his life story, and on Friday, the now-former congressman was back on Long Island for a very different announcement: He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and theft.
Here is a timeline of his rise and fall:
Nov. 8, 2022: Santos defeats Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the first known congressional election featuring two openly gay candidates.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Dec. 19, 2022: The New York Times publishes a story questioning whether Santos fictionalized his resume.
Dec. 26, 2022: Santos admits fabricating some details of his biography, including that he had a degree from Baruch College and had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Despite calling himself 'a proud American Jew' in a position paper, he insists he 'never claimed to be Jewish' but rather 'Jew-ish.'
Dec. 28, 2022: Nassau County prosecutors say they have launched an investigation into Santos.
January 2023: Santos is sworn into office. Questions surface about how he financed his campaign after filings offer contradictory accounts.
Jan. 31, 2023: Santos steps down from his congressional committees but says he won't resign.
February 2023: Revelations surface that Santos had been charged with stealing puppies in Pennsylvania in 2017 by using bad checks. The case was dismissed after Santos said the checks came from a checkbook that had been stolen from him.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
March 2, 2023: The House Ethics Committee announces an investigation into Santos.
May 10, 2023: Santos is indicted and pleads not guilty to federal charges that he stole from donors and his campaign, collected unemployment benefits he didn't deserve and lied to Congress about his wealth.
Oct. 10, 2023: A new indictment accuses Santos of stealing donors' IDs and making unauthorized charges to their credit cards. Santos pleads not guilty to the revised charges later that month.
Nov. 16, 2023: The House Ethics Committee says in a scathing report on Santos that it amassed 'overwhelming evidence' of lawbreaking, concluding flatly that he 'cannot be trusted.'
Dec. 1, 2023: Santos is expelled by the House on a vote of 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required.
December 2023: Not long after being expelled from the House, Santos is found to be offering the public personalized video messages for up to $200 on Cameo.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
February 2024: Santos sues late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging Kimmel deceived him into making Cameo videos that were used to ridicule Santos on the show.
April 23, 2024: Santos drops his longshot, independent bid to return to Congress, a month after announcing his candidacy. His campaign committee reported raising no money in March 2024.
Aug. 19, 2024: Weeks before the case was to go to trial, Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, blaming his ambition for clouding his judgment and saying he was 'flooded with deep regret.' The same day, a judge dismisses Santos' suit against Kimmel, saying the host's use of the Cameo videos for criticism and commentary was a fair use.
April 25, 2025: Santos is sentenced in federal court to more than seven years in prison.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
34 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Takeaways from AP's investigation of US death benefits program for public safety officers
A federal program that provides benefits to families of police officers and firefighters who die and become disabled on duty is rapidly growing while facing criticism for increasing delays in deciding claims. Congress created the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program in 1976 to guarantee that the spouses and children of officers who put their lives on the line would receive financial support.
Winnipeg Free Press
40 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Takeaways from AP's investigation of US death benefits program for public safety officers
A federal program that provides benefits to families of police officers and firefighters who die and become disabled on duty is rapidly growing while facing criticism for increasing delays in deciding claims. Congress created the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program in 1976 to guarantee that the spouses and children of officers who put their lives on the line would receive financial support. But repeated expansions in eligibility approved by Congress, including three passed in the last five years, have made the program more popular and complex to administer. Critics say the program fails some families by taking too long to grant or deny benefits and making inconsistent rulings. An Associated Press analysis found that hundreds of families are waiting years to learn whether they qualify for payments, and more are ultimately being denied. For one widow, payment came just as she'd given up hope New Jersey widow Sharline Volcy learned this month that she'd been awarded the benefits, more than 3 1/2 years after her husband, Ronald Donat, died while training at the Gwinnett County Police Academy in Georgia. Volcy said she was grateful for the aid, which will provide some financial security and help pay for her two daughters to go to college. But she said the long wait was stressful, when she was told time and again the claim remained under review and ultimately saw her inquiries ignored. 'They told me they didn't know how long it would take because they don't have a deadline. That's the hardest thing to hear,' she said. 'I felt defeated.' She said lawyers didn't want to take the case, and a plea for help to her congressperson went nowhere. She said she'd given up hope and was lucky she had a job as an airport gate agent in the meantime. The benefits program isn't meeting its timeframe goal Volcy's experience isn't unique, and some cases take longer. As of late April, more than 120 claims by surviving relatives or disabled first responders have been awaiting initial determinations or rulings on their appeals for more than five years, according AP's findings. About a dozen have waited over a decade for an answer. The program has a goal of making determinations within one year but has not taken steps to track its progress, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report. But roughly three in 10 cases have not met that timeframe in recent years. As of late late April, 900 claims had been pending longer than one year. That includes claims from nearly every state. Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to require the program to make determinations within 270 days. The denial rate for benefits is up, too Over the last year, the denial rate has increased, with roughly one in three death and disability claims getting rejected. Applicants can appeal to a hearing officer and then the director if they choose, but that isn't common. Many say they can't afford attorneys or want to get on with their lives. Justice Department officials, who oversee the program, say they're making complicated decisions about whether cases meet legal criteria. 'Death and disability claims involving complex medical and causation issues, voluminous evidence and conflicting medical opinions, take longer to determine, as do claims in various stages of appeal,' they said in a statement. Claims have doubled in recent years The program started as a simple $50,000 payout for the families of officers who were fatally shot on duty or died as a result of other violence or dangers. But Congress expanded the program in 1990 to cover some first responders who were disabled on duty, which made some determinations harder to reach. A 1998 law added educational benefits for the spouses and children of those deceased and disabled officers. Since 2020, Congress has passed three laws making many other types of deaths and disabilities eligible, including deaths related to COVID-19, deaths and injuries of those working rescue and cleanup operations after the September 2001 attacks, and responders who committed suicide under certain circumstances. Annual claims have more than doubled in the last five years, from 500 in 2019 to roughly 1,200 today. Critics say a key partnership creates a conflict of interest While many applicants have criticized the increasing delays, the leading group that represents the relatives of officers who die on duty has been silent. Critics say that's because the group, Concerns of Police Survivors, has a financial incentive not to criticize the program, which has awarded it tens of millions of dollars in grant funding in recent decades. The Missouri-based nonprofit recently received a new $6 million grant from the program to for its work with deceased officers' relatives, including counseling, hosting memorial events, educating agencies about the program and assisting with claims. The group's founder and retired executive director, Suzie Sawyer, said she was warned many years ago that fighting too hard for claimants could jeopardize its grant funding. But current spokesperson Sara Slone said advocacy isn't the group's mission and that it works 'hand in hand' with PSOB to assist applicants and provide education about benefits. One widow's fight has been remarkable, supporters say Lisa Afolayan's husband died after a training exercise at the Border Patrol academy more than 16 years ago, but she's still fighting the program for benefits. An autopsy found that Nate Afolayan died from heat illness after completing a 1.5-mile test run in 88 degree heat, at a high altitude in the New Mexico desert. The program had awarded benefits to families after similar training deaths, dating back to an officer who died at an academy in 1988. But its independent investigation blamed Nate's death on sickle cell trait, a genetic condition that's usually benign but has been linked to rare exertion-related deaths in police, military and sports training. The program denied Lisa's claim and her subsequent appeals, arguing the death wasn't the result of heat along and didn't qualify. The program stood by its denial in 2024, even after a federal appeals court said it may have failed to adequately consider the weather's role and violated a law barring discrimination on the basis of genetic information. The appeals court is currently considering Lisa's second appeal, even as the couple's two children reach college age.
Toronto Sun
5 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: PM took all day before finally saying Israel can defend itself from Iran
Players react to U.S. Open carnage: 'I'm too annoyed and too mad right now to think' Public service shrinks by nearly 10,000, with tax, immigration hit the hardest WARMINGTON: PM took all day before finally saying Israel can defend itself from Iran The Jewish community was shocked, hurt and disappointed that Canada took so long to weakly stand with its ally Israel in this dire time Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox Sign Up Photo by Leo Correa / AP Photo Article content The silence in not immediately offering unwavering support for Canada's once treasured friend Israel from the Prime Minister was deafening. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password View more offers Article content And it was heard by Canadian Jews who felt all day Canada no longer had their back. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or WARMINGTON: PM took all day before finally saying Israel can defend itself from Iran Back to video tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Play Video Article content 'Cowardice' is how B'nai Brith Canada described it. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called on people to send 'a message to the prime minister' that they expected Canada to support Israel in its war with Iran. But all day there was nothing Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal government. Then, just as people were checking out for Father's Day weekend and long after Iran dropped many bombs on Israel, Carney finally yelled uncle and said what other world leaders had already said. Barely. In war, you find out who your friends really are. When it comes to who's on your side in a survive or not survive conflict, with their preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Israel learned Friday who's with them and who isn't sure. Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content American President Donald J. Trump said on the 'very successful attack' the U.S. 'of course support Israel, obviously and supported it like nobody has ever supported it.' I just spoke with @realDonaldTrump on the phone. The President told me the US supports Israel and called the strikes on Iran last night 'a very successful attack.' 'We of course support Israel, obviously and supported it like nobody has ever supported it,' Trump said during our… — Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) June 13, 2025 Your Midday Sun Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content France's President Emmanuel Macron posted to X that 'France has repeatedly condemned Iran's ongoing nuclear program' and 'France reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and ensure its security.' France has repeatedly condemned Iran's ongoing nuclear program and has taken all appropriate diplomatic measures in response. In this context, France reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and ensure its security. To avoid jeopardizing the stability of the entire region,… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Also calling for a measured approach, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, 'we reaffirm that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens.' Canadian Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre added, 'Israel has a right to defend itself' by 'disarming Tehran's nuclear program.' Wir bekräftigen, dass Israel das Recht hat, seine Existenz und die Sicherheit seiner Bürger zu verteidigen. Wir rufen beide Seiten auf, von Schritten abzusehen, die zu einer weiteren Eskalation führen und die gesamte Region destabilisieren können. (5/8) — Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 6 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content So, what did Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney say? For hours his latest tweet was still on the Edmonton Oilers hockey game. Drag 'em back to Oil Country. #LetsGoOilers — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 7 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Finally at 5:56 p.m. Carney tweeted, 'Iran's nuclear program has long been a cause of grave concern, and its missile attacks across Israel threaten regional peace. Today, I convened our National Security Council to receive an update on the situation and to ensure that all necessary steps will be taken to protect our nationals and our diplomatic missions in the region. Canada reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and to ensure its security. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and move towards a diplomatic resolution.' Better late than never? Or does it make it worse? Iran's nuclear program has long been a cause of grave concern, and its missile attacks across Israel threaten regional peace. Today, I convened our National Security Council to receive an update on the situation and to ensure that all necessary steps will be taken to protect our… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 8 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Carney's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand had earlier tweeted, 'Canada is closely following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran' and that 'further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences. De-escalation must be the priority. We urge all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region. The protection of civilians must be paramount.' Advertisement 9 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Even after Iran started firing ballistic missiles into Tel Aviv in response to Israeli Defence Forces eliminating many Iranian military and political leaders, there were no further tweets asking Iran to de-escalate or refrain. Canada was trying to go down the middle and not take sides – treating the tyrannical Iranian regime and the democratically elected Israel government as equals. But they are not. Iran is led by a terrorist cult. Israel is a democracy. Canada is closely following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. Further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences. De-escalation must be the priority. We urge all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the… — Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 10 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Advertisement 11 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Canadian Jews, who have faced nonstop antisemitic violence and threats since the Oct. 7 slaughter at the hands of Hamas from Gaza, understand what these tropes, and the lack of pushing back on them, mean for their safety. They needed a bigger and more meaningful and prompt response like Trump, Merz, Poilievre and Macron offered. 'The question many Jewish people are asking is who is our Prime Minister with? Our ally Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu or Iranian Ayatollah Khamenei?' said Meir Weinstein, of Israel Now. הטעות החמורה הזו תהפוך את הישות הציונית לאומללה ותמיר את חייה למרים. — Hebrew (@Khamenei_Heb) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 12 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content If not for the pressure from Jewish groups all day, who knows if this soft statement would have even come. 'For years, leaders have acknowledged that a nuclear Iran is an intolerable global threat,' B'nai Brith Canada said in a statement. 'Now, when Israel takes the very action, those same leaders have long warned would be necessary, some shrink back behind empty platitudes and performative outrage.' Canadian Jews need to know now, is Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government with Canadian Jews and Israel or Iran. — Israel Now (@neveragainlive1) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 13 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content B'nai Brith added: 'This is not moral leadership – it is cowardice. Israel has acted to neutralize the greatest threat facing the free world. The time for selective outrage is over. The time for principled support is now. B'nai Brith Canada calls on Canada and all democratic nations to act with moral clarity by standing with Israel in defence of global security.' An Iran armed with nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles is an existential threat to the entire world. For years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has worked relentlessly to develop nuclear weapons, arm terrorist proxies with weapons of mass destruction, and openly call for the… — B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 14 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content CIJA added 'In moments like these, it's important for countries like Canada – that value democracy and reject terrorism – to affirm Israel's right to defend its people and act decisively to end the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran once and for all.' It's important for the Government of Canada to affirm Israel's right to defend its people and act decisively to end the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran once and for all. At the G7 this Sunday, Canada has an opportunity to lead a united global response against the Iranian… — CIJA (@CIJAinfo) June 13, 2025 Advertisement 15 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content They called on people to 'join thousands of other Canadians in sending a message to the Prime Minister.' Seems he finally heard them. jwarmington@ Article content Share this article in your social network Read Next
