Former Republican lawmaker George Santos made headlines over the weekend regarding the charges he faces that ultimately led to his departure from public office. 

According to The Washington Times, reports on Saturday indicated that Santos is expected to plead guilty to "numerous federal charges related to campaign finance fraud."

The former GOP congressman faces a staggering 23 federal counts related to various types of fraud, including "fraud related to COVID-19 unemployment benefits, and charging campaign donors’ credit cards without their knowledge during his 2022 campaign."

Since he was first charged, Santos proclaimed that he was innocent, making his upcoming reported guilty plea especially shocking.

What's going on?

Given the gravity of the federal charges that he faces, Santos' plea deal will help him avoid a potentially stiff prison sentence, according to the reports.

🚨🇺🇸FORMER GOP REP. GEORGE SANTOS EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY

Disgraced former Congressman George Santos is set to plead guilty on Monday to multiple charges, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, related to campaign finance fraud.

Santos, who was indicted on 23… pic.twitter.com/FgNSbGImA2

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 17, 2024

His plea deal was announced in the wake of two of his former campaign staffers pleading guilty and taking deals.

The Washington Times noted:

The expected plea deal comes after Nancy Marks, his former campaign treasurer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. in October. Sam Miele, his former campaign fundraiser, pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge in November.

Santos was ousted from Congress after less than one term after a bombshell House Ethics Committee investigation found out how he was using his funds, which included buying luxury clothes and getting Botox injections.

Democrat Tom Suozzi won a special election to take Santos' seat earlier this year, making the Republicans' House majority even slimmer than it was.

Social media reacts

Users across social media reacted to the news that Santos is expected to enter a guilty plea in the coming week.

"George Santos's expected guilty plea marks a significant turn in his legal battles, potentially closing a chapter of high-profile controversy ahead of his trial," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Remember when the Hilary Clinton campaign simply paid a fine for campaign finance fraud??"

Republicans can't afford another Santos, as the majority is already razor-thin. Let's hope Santos was the last.