Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos says he’s facing “torture” because he’s imprisoned in a tiny windowless cell in a New Jersey federal prison.
The convicted fraudster, a New York Republican who concocted his life story and scammed donors, is complaining that he’s been held in solitary confinement virtually 24 hours a day for his own protection in a 50-square-foot cell for nearly a month.
“He does not get any sunlight. He’s only allowed to buy stamps from the commissary and is drinking water from the sink,” tweeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. “This is torture.”
Greene, a far right-wing friend and ally of Santos, called on President Donald Trump to free Santos, who has served just a few weeks of a seven-year prison sentence.
“There are criminals as we speak serving in Congress and many other former government officials that are criminals walking free that did far more heinous things than George Santos,” Greene added. “Honestly, George should be pardoned.”
Greene was apparently responding to a public plea from Santos on Monday in which he also asked Trump to pardon him or commute his sentence. The White House has not responded.
“Help me escape this daily torment and let me return to my family,” Santos tweeted, tagging Greene.
Santos said he was placed into solitary confinement in August following an unspecific death threat at FCI Fairton, a medium security prison in new Jersey. Prison officials declined to address the disgraced politician ‘s living conditions.
Santos is serving a seven-year sentence, after being convicted of wire fraud and identity theft.
The Brazilian immigrant shocked the political establishment by winning an upset victory in a Long Island congressional district as Republicans won a string of victories on the island.
He became a massive embarrassment to most fellow Republicans as he was exposed for a string of humiliating lies about his life story and extravagant spending.
Congress voted to expel him by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in December 2023, although Greene and some conservatives stood by him. He was later tried and convicted on the charges that focused on his misuse of campaign donations.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate Democrat who had stepped town from New York’s 3rd District to mount a failed run for governor, reclaimed the swing district held by Santos in a special election and won reelection last fall.
