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The gay fabulist former-congressman’s wants approval to have his latest venture to keep him out of prison until late-summer.
Gay former U.S. Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican who pled guilty to federal felony charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft last year, is seeking to delay his sentencing initially scheduled for February 7. In a filing submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Friday, Santos’s legal team requested that sentencing be postponed until August, citing his ongoing efforts to meet financial restitution obligations and other logistical considerations.
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Santos admitted guilt to the charges as part of a plea agreement last August, which required him to pay $373,749.97 in restitution and a $205,002.97 forfeiture money judgment. According to the plea deal, the forfeiture payment must be made in full 30 days before sentencing. His attorneys argue that the delay is necessary to ensure that Santos can continue generating income to meet these obligations.
In the filing, Santos’s legal team pointed to his compliance with pretrial release conditions and highlighted his newly launched podcast, Pants on Fire with George Santos, as a promising revenue stream. The show, which debuted in December, focuses on cultural topics with weekly guest interviews and has been touted by Santos as a financial lifeline. His attorneys contend that the project has the potential to provide meaningful income through advertising revenue but needs more time to develop financially.
“An adjournment of sentencing would allow Mr. Santos to continue contributing to the podcast’s operations during this critical growth period,” wrote Santos’s attorneys in their motion. “This ensures the project can meet its contractual and financial obligations, which includes paying Mr. Santos his due compensation.”
Related: George Santos pleads guilty in federal court to identity theft and fraud
The government opposes the proposed delay, expressing concerns about prolonging the case’s resolution. In a letter filed with the court, federal prosecutors emphasized the strong collective interest in a swift resolution, the need for justice for Santos’s numerous victims, and skepticism about his financial claims. The letter noted that Santos had earned substantial revenue—over $800,000—through Cameo appearances and participation in a documentary but had yet to prioritize his financial obligations. After Santos was expelled from Congress, he sold personalized videos on Cameo for more than $400 apiece.
The government’s letter also criticized Santos’s reliance on speculative income from his podcast: “Santos’s claims are facially speculative and, in any event, entirely insufficient to warrant such a lengthy adjournment. His request for delay should be denied, and sentencing should proceed as scheduled.”
Prosecutors highlighted the risks of creating a “perverse incentive structure” by allowing Santos to delay sentencing to monetize his notoriety further. They pointed out that the podcast’s title, Pants on Fire, is a “tone-deaf and unrepentant reference to the crimes he committed.”
Santos’s attorneys criticized the opposition, noting that similar adjournments have been granted in related cases.
In addition to financial reasons, Santos’s legal team emphasized the need for additional time to compile comprehensive sentencing materials, including character letters from supporters. They argue that the requested delay aligns with the interests of justice, maximizing victim restitution without prejudicing the government’s case.
Santos, expelled from Congress in December 2023 following a House Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct, faces up to six years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. The investigation uncovered extensive misconduct, including campaign finance violations and fabrications about his background.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
