05:52 PM EDT, 07/31/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Former Congressman George Santos agreed to pay more than $35,000 to settle allegations he manipulated a Kalshi wager on whether he would attend the 2026 State of the Union, multiple news outlets reported Friday.

He must return over $17,500 in alleged gains, pay an equal civil penalty, and accept a three-year trading ban, according to the report.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said Santos made material misrepresentations about his attendance plans on social media before ultimately not attending, the report said, adding that Santos settled without admitting to the allegations.