Indicted Ex-Congressman George Santos Profits from Cameo Amid Legal Battle

Despite facing federal charges, Santos's earnings from personalized video messages are not hindered by New York's 'Son of Sam' law, raising questions about the intersection of politics and reality TV.

George Santos, a former Congressman under federal indictment, has been making significant income through Cameo, a platform where he charges up to $400 for personalized video messages.
Santos, who was expelled from Congress due to a 23-count indictment for alleged crimes related to his campaign's finances, has reportedly made more money on Cameo in two days than he did in a year in Congress.
Despite being under indictment, Santos is not affected by New York's 'Son of Sam' law, which prevents convicted criminals from profiting from their crimes, as his charges are federal and the law requires a direct connection between the crime and the profit.
While Santos's Cameo income is not directly derived from his alleged crimes, experts warn that the videos could potentially harm him in court if he is found guilty and sentenced, as they could be seen as evidence that he did not take his conduct seriously.
Santos's rise to fame and subsequent monetization of his notoriety mirrors the career arc of a reality TV star, leading to discussions about the increasing overlap between politics and reality TV.