George Santos, who won a congressional seat in November 2022, became a controversial figure due to his numerous fabrications and legal troubles.

He was expelled from Congress in late 2023 after a House Ethics Committee report revealed additional unlawful conduct beyond the charges he faced.

On April 25, 2025, Santos was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign.

Judge Joanna Seybert dismissed Santos' defense claims of not being the primary perpetrator of the fraud, emphasizing the severity of his actions.

The prosecution characterized Santos as a 'pathological liar,' highlighting his lack of remorse and ongoing ventures like his podcast 'Pants on Fire'.

Judge Seybert questioned why Santos continued to generate income from social media instead of setting aside funds for restitution.

Critics, including New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, condemned Santos for his fraudulent claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout his brief congressional career, Santos faced backlash and became a target for late-night comedians due to his numerous fabrications.

Despite his legal issues, Santos has attracted media attention, with HBO Films optioning a book about him for a potential movie adaptation.

His sentencing was initially postponed to allow him to continue producing his podcast to help pay his fines.

Santos has expressed interest in seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, although he has not formally requested one.

After his expulsion, Santos attempted to monetize his notoriety through personalized video messages on Cameo, although he recently disabled new requests.