Texas Man Sentenced for Scamming Ex-Congressman George Santos

A Texas man who attempted to extort nearly $1 million from former U.S. Representative George Santos by offering to “disappear” evidence in his corruption case has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Hector Medina, 40, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in September. He was sentenced Wednesday for fabricating a persona as a politically connected fixer, attempting to con Santos and other high-profile figures, including actor Danny Masterson.

The Scam: Fabricated Identity and False Claims

Medina used the alias “Michael Soto” to present himself as someone capable of influencing legal outcomes. According to federal prosecutors, he approached Santos with claims he could have incriminating evidence “removed, disappeared” in exchange for nearly $1 million. However, Santos and other targets of Medina’s scam saw through the ruse.

Medina’s attorney, Joseph Veith, stated his client concocted the scheme to pay off gambling debts but lacked the credibility to pose a real threat.

George Santos and the Unusual Case

George Santos, already embroiled in his own legal troubles, declined to comment directly on Medina’s case but confirmed he had submitted a statement to the court.

“It’s fairly unusual where you’d have the defendant and the victim both charged in separate instances with the same crime,” Veith said, referring to Santos’ own history of identity theft and fraud. Santos faces separate charges, including stealing identities to fund his campaign, with sentencing scheduled for April.

Santos’ Upcoming Sentencing and Legal Woes

Santos, who pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and identity theft, recently requested to delay his sentencing to focus on his podcast, Pants on Fire, which he claims will help him pay off more than $500,000 in fines.

His sentencing remains scheduled for April 25, with a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for identity theft and a maximum of 22 years in prison.

Other Victims and Broader Scheme

Medina’s scam extended beyond Santos. Prosecutors revealed that he targeted other high-profile individuals, including Danny Masterson, though none of his attempts succeeded.

Medina’s fraudulent activities highlight the lengths to which he went to resolve personal debts, according to his defense attorney.