Former congressman Santos pleads guilty, faces at least 2 years in prison

George Santos, who was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, arrives for his corruption trial at Central Islip Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, New York, U.S., August 19, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

CENTRAL ISLIP, New York (Reuters) -Former U.S. Representative George Santos pleaded guilty on Monday to fabricating fundraising figures, cementing the downfall of a novice politician who was expelled from Congress last year after a brief, scandal-plagued tenure.

Santos, a Republican, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, the latter carrying a mandatory two-year prison sentence.