In a shocking turn of events, former Republican congressman George Santos has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal fraud case. Santos, known for his controversial political career and penchant for peddling outlandish lies, expressed remorse for his actions during an emotional statement at the hearing.

"I understand that my actions have betrayed my supporters and constituents," Santos said, clearly shaken by the consequences of his deceit. "I am committed to making amends and learning from this experience."

According to US district judge Joanna Seybert, Santos faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years under federal guidelines. However, during the hearing, the judge estimated a possible sentencing range between six and eight years when Santos returns to court on 7 February.

The disgraced former congressman, who is only 36 years old, had initially pleaded not guilty to various alleged financial crimes, including lying to Congress about his wealth, fraudulent collection of unemployment benefits while employed, and misusing campaign donations for personal expenses. However, Santos decided to enter a guilty plea just weeks before his trial was set to begin in early September.

This plea deal comes after two of Santos's campaign aides had already pleaded guilty to related offenses. These guilty pleas further undermined the once-rising political star's credibility and public image.

Santos had gained attention in the Republican party after flipping a suburban Long Island district in New York. However, his political career quickly unraveled as reports circulated regarding false claims about his employment at prestigious Wall Street firms and his educational background.

Despite being in the era of scandals during Donald Trump's presidency, Santos managed to draw immense negative attention and faced demands from his own party members to resign. Moreover, additional scandals involving his campaign funds came to light, further tarnishing his reputation.

Santos was initially indicted on federal charges in May 2023, but refused to step down from his position in office. However, after an ethics investigation uncovered overwhelming evidence of his wrongdoing and exploitation of his public position, Santos was expelled from Congress.

US attorney Breon Peace expressed skepticism regarding Santos' past lies and praised his admission of guilt as a significant revelation. Peace stated, "As a result, he'll finally be held accountable for his actions, facing a minimum of two years in prison. He will also be required to forfeit his illegally obtained money and repay his victims."

Peace acknowledged the sad reality of an elected official admitting to criminal activity, recognizing that Santos had deceived the residents of his congressional district, who had expected him to represent them honestly and honorably.

Santos had briefly ventured into selling personalized videos on Cameo after his removal from Congress, followed by an unsuccessful attempt to return to the political arena as an independent candidate. However, he has expressed contentment with being a "somewhat private civilian" once again, highlighting his lack of longing for the fundraising events and parties associated with his short-lived political tenure.

Prosecutors sought to introduce evidence of Santos' financial falsehoods during his campaign, including false claims of working at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, as well as operating a family-run firm with substantial assets.

With Santos's guilty plea, the investigation further implicates his former treasurer, Nancy Marks, who pleaded guilty in October to a fraud conspiracy charge, implicating Santos in an alleged scheme to embellish campaign finance reports. Additionally, Sam Miele, a former fundraiser, pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting to impersonating a high-ranking congressional aide during the fundraising for Santos's campaign.

As Santos awaits his sentencing, the repercussions of his actions continue to ripple through the political landscape, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and honesty in public service.