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[Xinhua News Agency Micro Special] Former U.S. Republican Congressman George Santos pleaded guilty on the 19th to two charges of wire fraud and multiple identity theft, and may be sentenced to at least 6 years in prison.

In the federal court on Long Island, New York, Santos pleaded guilty and read a prepared statement in a trembling voice, saying that he "deeply regretted" his previous actions and the harm caused, and was willing to take full responsibility for it. According to the Associated Press, in addition to at least six years in prison, Santos may also have to pay more than $370,000 in compensation.

Santos, 36, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York in the U.S. midterm elections in November 2022. Shortly after his election, he was exposed for falsifying his resume, violating campaign finance laws, and committing fraud.

In May 2023, Santos was charged with federal criminal charges. In December of the same year, he was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first member of the House of Representatives to be expelled in more than 20 years and the sixth member of the House of Representatives to be expelled in history.

Santos initially pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been in plea negotiations with prosecutors since December last year. As part of the plea agreement, Santos admitted to all wrongdoings described in the indictment, but only pleaded guilty to two of the 23 charges. Santos' sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 7, 2025.

Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, told reporters on the 19th that voters who elected Santos were "seriously deceived" and "they could only watch helplessly as Santos entered Congress with all kinds of lies." Santos told the truth after lying for years, "which means he is a criminal." (End) (Huang Aiping)