Former New York Representative George Santos has officially reported to a federal prison in New Jersey to begin serving a seven-year sentence for fraud and identity theft. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Santos is now in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, Southern New Jersey. This marks a dramatic fall from grace for the once-embattled Republican, who was ousted from Congress last year after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

Santos’s legal troubles stem from his deceitful fundraising tactics, where he swindled donors and misappropriated their identities to finance his congressional campaign. In a final social media post before his incarceration, Santos reflected on his controversial political journey, calling it a “wild political cabaret” and thanking both supporters and critics alike. His lawyer, Joe Murray, echoed his sentiments with a bold text message urging for Santos’s release.

The political fallout from Santos’s actions has been significant, with many questioning the implications for the Republican Party and whether former President Trump might consider a pardon. As Santos faces the harsh realities of prison life, discussions swirl around his future and potential connections within political circles.

Santos’s expulsion from Congress made him only the sixth member in U.S. history to be ousted by colleagues, a stark reminder of the consequences of his fraudulent behavior. As he begins this new chapter behind bars, the political landscape watches closely, pondering whether this scandal will serve as a cautionary tale or merely another chapter in the tumultuous saga of American politics.