Former Congressman George Santos is preparing for life in prison.

Ahead of his criminal sentencing on Friday, Santos spoke exclusively with NY1, saying when it comes to the nearly half a million dollars he owes in restitution and forfeiture, “right now, I am unable to pay anything.”

“I don’t know if that’s going to change within the next 24 to 48 hours prior to sentencing, because I am still working on trying to make some kind of a meaningful attempt at restitution, because it’s my it’s my obligation,” he continued.

Admitting he stole from campaign donors and lied to Congress, in August, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Federal prosecutors are now seeking an 87-month prison sentence, which is more than seven years, for Santos. U.S. attorneys recently wrote to the judge arguing Santos’ actions cry out for a significant prison sentence, and also cited social media posts.

Santos insists he does feel remorse.

“Of course I do, and I think it’s so preposterous for the prosecutors to take social media tweets and try to depict and create a narrative,” he said.

Santos says he has no plans to ask President Donald Trump for a pardon.

“I believe in the process, I believe that also the president is aware of my situation,” he said.

After previously representing parts of Queens and Long Island in Congress, Santos told NY1 he’s thinking about how to navigate life in prison.

“Preferably in protective custody, because I do fear for my safety,” he said.

As the former lawmaker now waits to learn his sentence and the date he’ll have to report to prison, Santos says he’s had time to reflect on his own stunning rise and hard fall.

“What I’ve learned about myself is that never allow yourself to get clouded by ambition,” he said.