NEW YORK — Former U.S. Representative George Santos is set to begin serving a seven-year prison sentence today after pleading guilty to multiple federal charges, including wire fraud and identity theft. Santos, a New York Republican, was ousted from Congress last year following revelations of his deceptive practices during his campaign.

Santos must report to federal prison by 2 p.m. It remains unclear where he will serve his sentence, although a federal judge has recommended a facility in the Northeast. Santos and his legal team have not commented on his situation, and the Bureau of Prisons does not disclose inmate information until they are officially in custody.

In a recent interview, Santos indicated he would be placed in a minimum-security prison camp, which he described as a "big upgrade" from the medium-security facility he was initially assigned. The 37-year-old former congressman hosted a farewell event on social media platform X, reflecting on his tumultuous political journey. "Well, darlings…The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed," he wrote. "From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days."

Santos was sentenced in April after a federal judge denied his request for a lighter two-year sentence, citing a lack of genuine remorse. In the weeks leading up to his sentencing, he expressed being "profoundly sorry" for his actions but also claimed to be a victim of political persecution.

Elected in 2022, Santos quickly became embroiled in controversy. He misrepresented his background, falsely claiming to be a successful businessman and a volleyball star at a college he never attended. His fabrications led to investigations into his campaign funding and ultimately his expulsion from Congress, making him one of only six members in U.S. history to be removed by colleagues.

Since leaving office, Santos has attempted to maintain a public presence through a podcast titled "Pants on Fire with George Santos" and by selling personalized video messages on Cameo. He has also expressed hope that his support for former President Donald Trump might lead to a last-minute pardon, although the White House has not commented on any clemency requests.

In recent media appearances, Santos shared his fears about prison life, stating, "I look at this as practically a death sentence. I’m not built for this." He also addressed concerns about his mental health, asserting, "I’m not suicidal. I’m not depressed. I have no intentions of harming myself."

Santos's political career, marked by scandal and controversy, has drawn significant attention, and his upcoming prison term marks a dramatic fall from grace for the once-prominent figure in New York politics.