A Navy veteran who was defrauded by George Santos has openly criticized former President Donald Trump for commuting the former congressman’s prison sentence.

Richard Osthoff, a veteran from New Jersey whose GoFundMe funds meant for his terminally ill service dog were allegedly misappropriated by Santos, expressed his dismay, likening Trump’s decision to a “punch in the gut.”

“I feel like the president just hit me hard. It feels like he has once again disregarded a veteran,” Osthoff lamented in an interview with the Daily Mail. “Santos should never have been a candidate for clemency.”

Following Trump’s announcement, Santos was released from prison at around 11 p.m. on Friday, according to his attorney, Joseph Murray, who confirmed the news to the Daily Mail.

By early Saturday morning, Santos was reunited with his family, Murray added.

‘God bless President Donald J Trump the greatest President in U.S. history!’ Murray wrote on Santos’ X account late Friday night.

Now, Osthoff says he was in ‘shock and disbelief’ after learning that Santos – convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft – had been released just three months into a seven-year term.

‘I didn’t think I would have to deal with this again because he went to prison, and now he’s getting off not even three months,’ Osthoff said.

‘You need at least five months or more to really feel or understand what you have done. This was more like a vacation for him, not a prison sentence. He essentially went to Club Fed.’

Trump announced the commutation Friday night on Truth Social, writing, ‘George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison.’

Richard Osthoff, the New Jersey veteran whose dying service dog’s GoFundMe funds were allegedly stolen by Santos years before his political rise, likened Trump’s move to a ‘punch in the gut’

Disgraced ex-congressman George Santos (pictured) reported to a federal prison in New Jersey in July to begin serving his sentence after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign

‘George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated,’ Trump continued. 

‘Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!’

Osthoff’s anger toward Santos runs deep. 

Years before Santos ran for Congress, Osthoff was homeless and living in a tent with his service dog, Sapphire, when a man named Anthony Devolder approached him. 

Devolder – a name used by Santos before he entered politics – offered to connect him with a veterinarian who could remove a growing tumor from the dog’s stomach. 

He then allegedly launched a GoFundMe campaign on Osthoff’s behalf, promoting it through his charity, Friends of Pets United.

The fundraiser collected $3,000, but Osthoff said he never received any of the money and Sapphire died before she could undergo the life-saving surgery that Santos had promised to arrange.

Osthoff said he relied on his dog for emotional support while coping with mental health struggles linked to his service. 

Osthoff said he was in ‘shock and disbelief’ after learning that Santos – convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft – had been released. Pictured: Richard Osthoff at George Santos’ hearing on October 27, 2024

President Donald Trump announced the commutation on Friday night via Truth Social – just three months into disgraced ex-congressman George Santos’ seven-year sentence

The dog, he explained, had a cantaloupe-sized tumor on her liver, and the surgery might have extended her life long enough for him to train another service dog.

‘[Santos] not only robbed me of my best friend and companion, but she was my medication,’ the veteran told the New York Post.

‘Sapphire was dying and all I could do was watch her life snap away from her, but this guy just faded away off into the sunset with the money that could’ve kept her alive. He almost took my life from me because I was ready to kill myself.’

Santos had reported to a federal prison in New Jersey in July to begin serving his sentence after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign.

Despite his criminal record and long list of fabrications, Santos retained a handful of powerful allies.

Among them was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued the former lawmaker’s punishment was ‘a grave injustice.’

Greene had written to the Justice Department soon after Santos began his sentence, claiming, ‘While his crimes warrant punishment, many of my colleagues who I serve with have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges.’ 

‘George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated,’ Trump wrote on Friday

Despite his criminal record and long list of fabrications, Santos retained a handful of powerful allies, among them was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued the former lawmaker’s punishment was ‘a grave injustice’

She added, ‘I strongly believe in accountability for one’s actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr. Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system.’

Last month, Greene again took to social media to advocate for Santos’s release, claiming he was being tortured in solitary confinement.

On Friday night, she thanked Trump publicly: ‘THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!’

But, for Osthoff, Trump’s decision was ‘beyond disappointing.’

He told the Daily Mail he is now considering filing a civil lawsuit against Santos for emotional distress, defamation, and other charges.

‘He went to the media and said I was a liar, and that I was not a real veteran. Not only did he lie about that, what’s worse is I couldn’t save Saphire because of his lies. He killed my dog and he is a narcissist piece of garbage.’

Osthoff, who lives in New Jersey with his three dogs, said he is currently seeking an attorney to represent him in the lawsuit.