WATCH: George Santos breaks down after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former Republican Congressman George Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on Monday, August 19, avoiding a criminal trial that was set to begin next month.

The New York politician, who once flipped a House district from blue to red and was hailed as the first openly gay Republican non-incumbent to win a House seat, now faces serious legal consequences for his actions.

Santos originally faced 23 felony counts, but his lesser plea is still expected to result in jail time. Aggravated identity theft alone carries a mandatory minimum of two years in prison. Despite his earlier defiance, Santos has now admitted to his wrongdoing.

George Santos admits to campaign fraud scheme

George Santos was first indicted on federal charges in May 2023 but refused to resign from office.

After an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” that he had broken the law and exploited his public position for profit, Santos was expelled from Congress, becoming the sixth member in history to be ousted from the House.

Initially insisting on his innocence, Santos reversed course as his trial approached.

In court on Monday, the ex-congressman’s bravado was replaced by a wavering voice and words of contrition, the New York Times noted.

“I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he told the judge, admitting his participation in a scheme to “artificially inflate” the number of contributions to his campaign to win support from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

“I understand that my actions have betrayed my supporters and constituents,” Santos said in an emotional statement during the hearing. “I am committed to making amends and learning from this experience.”

George Santos' sentencing postponed as he prepares for possible jail time

George Santos’ sentencing has been postponed until February 7, 2025, meaning he will not have to report to prison for at least six months.

Guidelines suggest he could serve up to eight years in prison, though a judge may decide to be more lenient.

Additionally, Santos agreed to pay $373,749.97 in restitution and forfeit another $205,002.97 before his sentencing. If he fails to come up with the money, his property may be seized.

Following the plea proceeding, US Attorney Breon Peace remarked that after years of lying, Santos “had finally told the truth – and that truth is that he is a criminal.”

“As a result, he’ll finally be held to account for his actions, he’ll go to prison for at least two years, be required to forfeit the money he made illegally, and be required to repay the victims he swindled,” Peace said, according to the Guardian.

George Santos apologizes to former constituents outside courthouse

Outside the courthouse, George Santos fought back tears as he expressed regret for his conduct.

"I am flooded with deep regret," he said and vowed to accept responsibility for his actions and apologized to his former constituents for allowing "ambition to cloud [his] judgment."

"This plea is not just an admission of guilt. It's an acknowledgment that I need to be held accountable like any other American that breaks the law," Santos told reporters.

He added, "It is clear to me now that I allowed ambition to cloud my judgment, leading me to make decisions that were unethical. Pleading guilty is a step I never imagined I would take, but it is a necessary one because it is the right thing to do."

Santos acknowledged that he failed his constituents and expressed hope that he could be part of "restoring the integrity" he diminished through his lies.

"It has been the proudest achievement of my life to represent you, and I believe I did so to the best of my abilities, but you also trusted me to represent you with honor and to uphold the values that are essential to our democracy, and in that regard, I failed you," the former congressman said, as per ABC.