President Donald Trump could have spared former Rep. George Santos of New York from federal jail, however Lengthy Island prosecutors aren’t completed with him simply but.
Former Rep. George Santos arrives at federal courtroom for his sentencing on April 25.
“Since first learning of George Santos’ actions, I have been at the forefront of bringing him to justice,” she mentioned. “I am proud of the work my office has done, and the conviction achieved in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. While the office cannot comment on ongoing investigations, suffice it to say that I remain focused on prosecuting political corruption wherever it exists regardless of political affiliation.”
In different phrases, Santos isn’t essentially within the clear.
He had been out of jail lower than two days earlier than returning to the general public eye—relaunching his Cameo account, giving interviews, and testing the bounds of Trump’s clemency. His seven-year sentence for fraud, deception, and mendacity to Congress was worn out final week when Trump granted him a full commutation.
Trump hailed Santos on Reality Social for his “Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”
A clemency order posted to X by pardon legal professional Ed Martin confirmed the complete scope of the choice: an “immediate commutation” with no fines, restitution, or probation necessities, permitting Santos to stroll free on Oct. 17.
And by Oct. 19, he was again on tv.
When requested by CNN’s Dana Bash whether or not he would repay the $374,000 in restitution tied to his fraud conviction, Santos sidestepped the query.
Former Rep. George Santos sits within the Home chamber in 2023.
“I can do my best to do whatever the law requires of me,” he mentioned. “So I don’t know what that is. I’ve been out of prison for two days. I agreed to come here to speak with you candidly and openly and not to obfuscate. If it’s required of me by the law, yes. If it’s not, then no.”
Earlier than Trump intervened, Santos had already turn into a defining determine of the MAGA motion—often called a lot for his elaborations as for his capacity to outlive them. He rode Trump’s political wave into Congress in 2022, aligning himself with allies like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado, who defended him whilst his fabrications mounted.
“That’s our system,” he mentioned. “If the people duly elect a representative, then we will welcome them into the body.”
However again house, prosecutors seem much less keen to maneuver on. Donnelly’s feedback recommend that Trump’s clemency could not mark the top of Santos’ authorized challenges.
For now, a minimum of, Santos is free—however how lengthy that lasts could depend upon what Nassau County does subsequent.
