Latest news with #ex-LongIsland
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump issues unexpected pardon for Long Island labor boss James Callahan less than 24 hours before sentencing
A disgraced ex-Long Island union boss was spared prison Tuesday, after President Donald Trump issued a last-minute pardon less than 24 hours before he was set to be sentenced. James Callahan, a 65-year-old Lindenhurst native and former top labor leader of the International Union of Operating Engineers, was set to be sentenced Wednesday by US District Judge Ana Reyes. But on Tuesday, Callahan's attorney, David Schertler, notified Reyes that his client had received a 'full and unconditional' pardon from the President, with his sentence in a temporary state of suspension until prosecutors file a formal request to dismiss the case, court records show. James Callahan, 65, the former boss of the International Union of Operating Engineers, was pardoned by President Donald Trump less than 24 hours before he was expected to be sentenced to prison. AFP via Getty Images Schertler said his client was 'extremely grateful for President Donald Trump's consideration and pardon and the opportunity to get back his life and his reputation after devoting over 40 years to the cause of organized labor and the members of the International Union of Operating Engineers and their families.' Trump has so far provided no reason as to why he decided to issue a pardon for Callahan, who prosecutors had only recommended a six-month prison sentence for. 'No MAGA left behind,' Trump's pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr. posted on X Monday as the President commuted a slew of sentences this week — but it's unclear if Callahan fits that bill. There's no record he ever supported or donated to Trump in the past, and his union actually backed both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over Trump in the last election while he was still in charge, according to records. Callahan's attorney, David Schertler, said he was 'extremely grateful for President Donald Trump's consideration and pardon.' The St Patrickâs Day Parade The judge, however, expressed that she was 'quite disappointed' to learn of Callahan's pardon, noting he had accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct, according to a transcript of Wednesday's hearing. In January, Callahan pleaded guilty to failing to report over $315,000 he scored in tickets to games, concerts, shows and other financial perks from a company that did business with his union. As part of the plea deal, Callahan — who prosecutors say has a net worth of more than $5 million — agreed to repay the union and step down as president. 'The Operating Engineers were unknowingly funding Defendant Callahan's spree of pricey entertainments — a lifestyle his substantial salary could easily accommodate,' prosecutors wrote in their sentencing recommendation, calling him 'one of the most powerful union leaders in the country.' The Justice Department is now expected to file a motion to dismiss the case.
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
George Santos accused of weeping ‘crocodile tears' by Navy vet who claimed ex-pol stole thousands from his dying dog
George Santos was weeping 'crocodile tears' at his sentencing, a Navy veteran who previously accused the lyin' ex-pol of stealing thousands meant for his sick dog claimed on Friday. Disabled, formerly homeless vet Richard Osthoff showed up to federal court in Central Islip to see his nemesis get hit with a hefty prison sentence — even after he turned on the water works for the judge. Osthoff rushed Santos' car as he exited the courthouse. Richard Osthoff/Facebook Advertisement 'That wasn't real. He's not remorseful. He's crying because he knows that he's getting bitten on the ass and he's gotta go away now,' Osthoff said, adding bitterly, 'Have fun, George.' Osthoff – who claimed Santos helped him launch a GoFundMe to help his dog and then swindled him out of $3,000 raised – accused the wayward, openly-gay ex-Long Island Republican of putting on an emotional show in a bid to get a more lenient sentence. Santos was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison. Brigitte Stelzer Advertisement But the judge didn't buy it, slapping Santos with seven years and three months behind bars following his guilty plea to scamming donors to fund his 2022 winning campaign, lying about his wealth to Congress and collecting unemployment while he was actually working. Osthoff said he was glad to see Santos finally get his comeuppance. 'It made me feel really, really good to see something finally happened to this guy,' he said. 'That just reminded me of when my dog died because of his deceit and deception, how I felt,' Osthoff said. 'I was on my knees blubbering in the shower. So it was good to see that, It really was.' Advertisement As Santos rushed out of the courthouse, dashing away in a car without answering reporters' questions, Osthoff rushed the car yelling, 'F–k you, you killed my dog!' The veteran says he plans to sue Santos for defamation and the $3,000 that Santos allegedly made off with after ghosting Osthoff.
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Lyin' ex-Rep. George Santos sobs as he learns his fate at sentencing in corruption case
Notorious serial liar George Santos — the disgraced former congressman who scammed donors to fund his winning campaign — broke down into sobs as he learned his fate Friday in his sprawling federal corruption case. The wayward, openly-gay ex-Long Island pol, who was exposed for fibbing about much of his life story, was sentenced to seven years and three months behind bars by Central Islip federal court Judge Joanna Seybert. He must also fork over $373,000 in restitution as part of the sentence. Santos, 36, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August, admitting he defrauded donors and used the names of dozens of people, including family and friends, to falsely inflate his number of contributors. Advertisement He must surrender to start serving his prison term on July 25. 4 Former Long Island Rep. George Santos was sentenced to years behind bars on Friday. Brigitte Stelzer He served less than a year in the House — repping parts of Queens and Nassau County in a seat he flipped red — until he became only the the sixth US Representative to be expelled from office in December 2023. Advertisement Santos — who now hawks personalized video messages for $100 a pop on cameo — refused to answer questions from reporters on his way into court Friday, but posted 'Soon' along with prayer hand emojis on X hours before his sentencing. Prosecutors asked that the flamboyant Ferragamo-wearing former rep get seven years behind bars, the top end of what federal sentencing guidelines recommended. He faced a minimum of two and a maximum of 20 years in prison. The feds argued in recent court filings that Santos' social media posts showed he was 'not genuinely remorseful.' Those missives included a barrage of attacks toward the Department of Justice that Santos recently posted on X, including one claiming he was a 'scapegoat.' Advertisement But Santos' lawyers fired back, explaining the lyin' ex-congressman was attacking what he thought was an unnecessarily harsh sentencing recommendation and maintained he still remained 'profoundly sorry' for what he did. 4 Santos pleaded guilty last year to fraud and identity theft. Brian Zak/Page Six Santos was elected in 2022, but it quickly emerged that he had repeatedly lied about everything from his work credentials to his educational background while he was on the campaign trail. He claimed he graduated from New York University and Baruch College and that he worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. In reality he didn't graduate from college and he never 'directly' worked for the companies. Advertisement In May 2023, the feds hit him with a 23-count indictment accusing him of laundering campaign funds and defrauding donors from October 2021 to October 2022. 4 Santos was accused of lying to Congress and using campaign funds to live large. Instagram / @georgesantosny Prosecutors alleged he lied to Congress about his wealth, collected unemployment benefits while he was actually working and used campaign funds to live large — including buying designer duds, getting Botox injections and taking luxe vacations. Santos' former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, was also charged in the case. She pleaded guilty to one fraud conspiracy charge and is slated to be sentenced next month at a hearing where the feds have said they will recommend she receive three-and-a-half years to four years imprisonment. 4 Santos was expelled from office in December 2023. Rod Lamkey – CNP On Tuesday, Santos said in an interview with NY1 that he hopes he is kept in protective custody while in the clink 'because I do fear for my safety.' He also told the outlet he didn't have the money to pay the restitution he agreed to fork over as part of his plea agreement with the feds.
