Latest news with #11September
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-congressman George Santos sentenced to seven years in prison
Former Republican congressman George Santos has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to the federal charges in New York court last August. Prosecutors had asked for 87 months - over seven years - in prison, while Santos's attorneys had requested he serve two years, the minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft. The sentencing marks the final step in the downfall of the novice New York politician, who was expelled from Congress after the fraud case alleged that he lied about his background and misused campaign funds to finance his lifestyle. Santos reportedly apologised for his actions while crying in court on Friday, saying: "I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead." The judge overseeing the case appeared unconvinced. "You got elected with your words, most of which were lies," she said. Santos will report to prison on 25 July. The federal government alleged Santos laundered campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally claimed unemployment benefits while he was employed and lied to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prosecutors said he charged more than $44,000 (£32,000) to his campaign over a period of months using credit cards belonging to contributors who were unaware they were being defrauded. In court last year, Santos admitted to theft and applying for unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to receive. He has also acknowledged making false statements and omissions on financial statements submitted to the House Ethics Committee and the FEC. The former lawmaker has been ordered to pay at least $374,000 (£280,000) in restitution. He has been attempting to raise money on Cameo, a platform where people can purchase personalized videos from celebrities. Santos's downfall began after the New York Times in 2022 published an investigation revealing the freshman congressman had lied about his CV, including having a university degree and working for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. From there, the lies continued to pile up, including allegations that he stole money from a fundraiser for a dying dog and that he lied about his mother surviving the 11 September terrorist attacks. Shortly after, local and federal officials began to investigate. He was eventually charged with 23 federal felony crimes, and in 2023, he became the first member of Congress to be expelled in more than 20 years, only the sixth in history. A report from the House ethics panel accused him of misusing campaign funds for personal benefits, including Botox and subscriptions on the OnlyFans website. Santos defeated a Democratic incumbent in 2022, flipping the district that encompasses parts of New York's Long Island and Queens, where he grew up. Santos, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has said that he would not ask the president for a pardon. "If the president thinks I'm worthy of any level of clemency that is bestowed upon him, he can go ahead and do it, but for me to seek a pardon is to deny accountability and responsibility," Santos told the New York Times. Yet he appeared to contradict himself in an episode of his podcast, when his guest, blogger Perez Hilton asked him if he would request a pardon if he were sentenced to years in prison. "You bet your sweet ass I would," he told the TV personality. George Santos faces prison after pleading guilty to fraud George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote George Santos is now selling $200 videos on Cameo
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-congressman George Santos sentenced to seven years in prison
Former Republican congressman George Santos has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to the federal charges in New York court last August. Prosecutors had asked for 87 months - over seven years - in prison, while Santos's attorneys had requested he serve two years, the minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft. The sentencing marks the final step in the downfall of the novice New York politician, who was expelled from Congress after the fraud case alleged that he lied about his background and misused campaign funds to finance his lifestyle. The federal government alleged Santos laundered campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally claimed unemployment benefits while he was employed and lied to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prosecutors said he charged more than $44,000 (£32,000) to his campaign over a period of months using credit cards belonging to contributors who were unaware they were being defrauded. In court last year, Santos admitted to theft and applying for unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to receive. He has also acknowledged making false statements and omissions on financial statements submitted to the House Ethics Committee and the FEC. The former lawmaker has been ordered to pay at least $374,000 (£280,000) in restitution. He has been attempting to raise money on Cameo, a platform where people can purchase personalized videos from celebrities. Santos's downfall began after the New York Times in 2022 published an investigation revealing the freshman congressman had lied about his CV, including having a university degree and working for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. From there, the lies continued to pile up, including allegations that he stole money from a fundraiser for a dying dog and that he lied about his mother surviving the 11 September terrorist attacks. Shortly after, local and federal officials began to investigate. He was eventually charged with 23 federal felony crimes, and in 2023, he became the first member of Congress to be expelled in more than 20 years, only the sixth in history. A report from the House ethics panel accused him of misusing campaign funds for personal benefits, including Botox and subscriptions on the OnlyFans website. Santos defeated a Democratic incumbent in 2022, flipping the district that encompasses parts of New York's Long Island and Queens, where he grew up. Santos, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has said that he would not ask the president for a pardon. "If the president thinks I'm worthy of any level of clemency that is bestowed upon him, he can go ahead and do it, but for me to seek a pardon is to deny accountability and responsibility," Santos told the New York Times. Yet he appeared to contradict himself in an episode of his podcast, when his guest, blogger Perez Hilton asked him if he would request a pardon if he were sentenced to years in prison. "You bet your sweet ass I would," he told the TV personality. George Santos faces prison after pleading guilty to fraud George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote George Santos is now selling $200 videos on Cameo
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Former congressman George Santos sentenced to X years in prison
Former Republican congressman George Santos has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to the federal charges in New York court last August. Prosecutors had asked for 87 months - over seven years - in prison, while Santos's attorneys had requested he serve two years, the minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft. The sentencing marks the final step in the downfall of the novice New York politician, who was expelled from Congress after the fraud case alleged that he lied about his background and misused campaign funds to finance his lifestyle. The federal government alleged Santos laundered campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally claimed unemployment benefits while he was employed and lied to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prosecutors said he charged more than $44,000 (£32,000) to his campaign over a period of months using credit cards belonging to contributors who were unaware they were being court last year, Santos admitted to theft and applying for unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to receive. He has also acknowledged making false statements and omissions on financial statements submitted to the House Ethics Committee and the former lawmaker has been ordered to pay at least $374,000 (£280,000) in restitution. He has been attempting to raise money on Cameo, a platform where people can purchase personalized videos from downfall began after the New York Times in 2022 published an investigation revealing the freshman congressman had lied about his CV, including having a university degree and working for Citigroup and Goldman there, the lies continued to pile up, including allegations that he stole money from a fundraiser for a dying dog and that he lied about his mother surviving the 11 September terrorist attacks. Shortly after, local and federal officials began to investigate. He was eventually charged with 23 federal felony crimes, and in 2023, he became the first member of Congress to be expelled in more than 20 years, only the sixth in history. A report from the House ethics panel accused him of misusing campaign funds for personal benefits, including Botox and subscriptions on the OnlyFans defeated a Democratic incumbent in 2022, flipping the district that encompasses parts of New York's Long Island and Queens, where he grew an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has said that he would not ask the president for a pardon. "If the president thinks I'm worthy of any level of clemency that is bestowed upon him, he can go ahead and do it, but for me to seek a pardon is to deny accountability and responsibility," Santos told the New York Times. Yet he appeared to contradict himself in an episode of his podcast, when his guest, blogger Perez Hilton asked him if he would request a pardon if he were sentenced to years in prison. "You bet your sweet ass I would," he told the TV personality.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Manchester bomb mastermind who planned 'as big a plot as we've seen in the UK' has appeal rejected
Terrorist Abid Naseer had demanded his 40-year sentence be reduced to 15 years, making him eligible for release and a possible return to the UK Manchester bomb mastermind Abid Naseer, who planned 'as big a plot as we've seen in the UK' has had his bid to be set free early thrown out by a US judge. The 39-year-old terrorist had demanded his 40-year sentence be reduced to 15 years, making him eligible for release and a possible return to the UK. Pakistani-born Naseer had argued that after one of his convictions of providing material support to al Qaeda and other charges was vacated, he should be resentenced. But Chief Judge Debra Livingston dismissed his appeal. The Second Circuit Appeals court agreed with the lower court's ruling that 'Although Naseer's counts of 18 conviction now change with the vacatur of Count Ten, the conduct in which he engaged and for 19 which this Court deemed a forty-year sentence appropriate, has not.' Naseer, federal prisoner 05770-748, is currently being held at MCFP Springfield in Missouri. The unit is a medical facility and nicknamed "The Fed Med' or "The Country Club" due to its softer approach to federal prison standards. Manchester Police and the UK government were heavily criticised for their handling of Naseer and for failing to bring charges in Britain. He was first arrested in 2009 in an anti-terrorism operation, but authorities did not pursue charges citing a lack of evidence. US prosecutors later named him in an indictment alleging a broader conspiracy that included the failed New York City subway plot, and he was extradited to the US in 2013. Authorities accused Naseer of playing a major part in a global al-Qaeda plot to launch coordinated attacks in Manchester, Copenhagen and New York. The attacks were designed to "replicate the devastation" of the attacks on 11 September 2001. Greater Manchester Police's chief investigating officer in the case, Detective Superintendent Mark Smith, said it was "as big a plot as we've seen in the UK, quite seriously'. He said: "The scale of the intended attack, the number of casualties that I think we would have seen in Manchester, would have been comparable to the 7/7 attack." To assist with the US government's case, serving undercover MI5 agents gave evidence in full public view, disguised with wigs and makeup. Following his sentence, police revealed Naseer's plot involved blowing up a car in. Manchester, which was to be parked just 100 metres from the spot where the IRA detonated a lorry bomb in 1996. His accomplices were due to lie in wait on nearby Market Street to detonate suicide bombs as shoppers fled the scene. Emails sent from an internet café near Naseer's home had been intercepted in the weeks before his arrest. The final message led police to believe an attack was imminent. Known as the "Hi Buddy" email because of the way it greeted an al-Qaeda operative, it reads: "I met with Nadia family and we both parties have agreed to conduct the nikah after the 15th and before 20th of this month. I have confirmed the dates from them and they said you should be ready between these dates." The jury was told female names, including Nadia, represented different ingredients used to make bombs. Wedding, or 'nikah', was a standard al-Qaeda code for a terror attack. Based on the Islamic calendar, investigators believed this email was referring to a planned attack during the Easter weekend in 2009. Police estimated that "hundreds" would have been killed or maimed if the plot had succeeded. After sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole of Greater Manchester Police said: "Abid Naseer has finally seen justice for the terrorist atrocities he planned to orchestrate against the people of Greater Manchester. A sentence of 40 years, we believe, is a fitting punishment for a man who came so close to carrying out what would have been one of the horrific terrorist acts seen in the UK since the 7/7 bombings. He added: "They planned to strike on Easter Weekend, the second busiest shopping day of the year, when between 40,000 and 90,000 people would have been in the targeted areas throughout the weekend.' During his two-week trial in New York in 2015, jurors heard evidence from Afghan bomb plotter Najibullah Zazi, who pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb the New York City subways. US prosecutors said he shared an al Qaeda contact with Naseer, who was was trained in bomb making at a terror camp. Lawyers also provided evidence from material seized during the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May 2011 as he hid out in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Naseer, who conducted his defence, said the US government had misinterpreted harmless emails he wrote about marriage plans. Detective Chief Superintendent Mole also urged 'everyone in our communities' to help in the fight. As he handed down Naseer's sentence, US District Judge Raymond Dearie told him: "I know you're not what I'd say for any lack of a better word a 'typical' criminal. Not in any sense of the word. You're a terrorist."
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pete Davidson reveals tattoo-free look in new Reformation campaign for Valentine's Day
Pete Davidson has revealed his tattoo-free body in a new Valentine's Day campaign for a lifestyle and clothing brand. The comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member, who said he had close to 200 tattoos, started getting them removed back in 2020 after he concluded they took too long to cover up on sets. On Tuesday, Reformation unveiled their Valentine's Day campaign with a special role for Davidson – the 'official boyfriend'. The campaign photos show Davidson in a series of photos that show off his body sans tattoos. What cements his position as 'official boyfriend' isn't just the cosy sweatshirt with his title emblazoned on it. The campaign comes with a video, written and directed by Matthew Frost, with Davidson declaring: 'I'm someone's boyfriend and I take that seriously.' 'Reliability. Loyalty. It's an accumulation of things. Make her a hot water bottle for when her tummy hurts. Put the seat down. Don't tell her to relax, or try to fix her. Say you're sorry. Actually most of the time, don't say anything at all. It's honest work, and somebody's gotta do it,' he says in the video, where he waits outside a dressing room and offers opinions and a listening ear as a lineup of anonymous women come in to try on clothes. Over the years, in several interviews, Davidson has revealed some of the tattoos he had: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on his right shoulder, Hillary Clinton on his right leg, the name Kim on his chest, and several dedicated to his firefighter father, Scott Davidson, who died during the 11 September terrorist attacks. Earlier this month, the Bodies Bodies Bodies star appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon to provide an update on his tattoos and revealed that he'd been 'burning them off'. 'They're almost gone,' he told the late-night talk show host. 'It's horrible,' Davidson continued. 'It's worse [than getting a tattoo]. They gotta burn off a layer of your skin, and then it has to heal for six to eight weeks and you can't get in the sunlight. And then you gotta do it like 12 more times. So really think about that Game of Thrones tattoo.' On whether he plans to keep any of his tattoos, the comedian said he saw himself only leaving 'two or three' and removing all of the others. 'I'm trying to clean slate it, trying to be an adult,' he said. Davidson, who had become somewhat of a tabloid staple after high-profile relationships with Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian, also recently talked about taking a step back from being in the public eye and separating himself from his celebrity status. 'I don't know if you've noticed it, but I've been laying low,' he told W Magazine. He went on to explain his withdrawal from the spotlight by agreeing that the idea of over-saturation had been on his mind. 'You're 100 per cent correct because I was oversaturated,' Davidson told the fashion magazine. 'In The Sopranos, there's this line from Tony that's like, 'You ever feel like you got into something at the end? When the good times were over?' That's how I feel about show business and being a celebrity. It's over.'
