In a surprising turn of events, former Congressman George Santos has successfully secured a delay for his sentencing on federal fraud charges, now set for April 25 instead of the originally scheduled February 7. Santos, who is expected to face significant prison time for his crimes, has claimed that he needs additional time to generate funds through his podcast, Pants on Fire with George Santos, to help repay the over $578,000 he owes in restitution and forfeiture fees.

Santos's lawyers argued that the additional time would allow him to bolster his podcast's revenue and fulfill financial obligations. However, prosecutors were quick to challenge this delay, labeling his reasoning as "speculative" and suggesting that it sends a troubling message that crime could yield financial gain. They contended that allowing Santos more time under these circumstances could create a "perverse incentive structure" favoring defendants who exploit their notoriety following criminal behavior. As noted in his plea agreement, Santos faces a mandatory minimum of two years for identity theft, with the possibility of up to 22 years for his crimes.

Since his expulsion from Congress in late 2023, Santos has continued to generate income through various channels, including cameo appearances and documentary participation. His legal team pointed to these income sources as potential funding streams to meet his financial obligations. However, Prosecutors have argued that Santos' financial claims and the viability of his podcast revenue should not delay justice.

Judge Joanna Seybert remarked that the new date was a "one-time courtesy" aimed at ensuring fair proceedings. Ultimately, Santos’s criminal past, marked by deceit and unethical behavior, has overshadowed his brief and controversial tenure in Congress, where he misled constituents and falsified major aspects of his biography. The case remains a high-profile example of political misconduct and its repercussions.

For further details on Santos’ legal battles, see [Reuters](http://reuters.com/world/us/george-santos-fraud-sentencing-delayed-after-he-asked-make-more-podcasts-2025-01-08/) and [HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-santos-seeks-to-delay-sentencing_n_677e6d47e4b018662a3b5800).