Overview

• Hector Medina, a Texas man, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for attempting to defraud former Rep. George Santos and other public figures.
• Medina falsely claimed he could eliminate evidence and dismiss charges in exchange for large sums, targeting individuals like Santos and actor Danny Masterson.
• Using the alias 'Michael Soto,' Medina sought $900,000 from Santos, who initially believed the scheme might be legitimate.
• Prosecutors revealed Medina devised the scheme to repay gambling debts and admitted to targeting vulnerable individuals facing legal troubles.
• The judge in the case criticized Santos for not appearing in court and labeled his behavior 'cowardly,' highlighting the irony of both men facing charges for similar crimes.