Politics
NEW: Former Democrat Senator Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison
Former Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison on Wednesday, marking the harshest punishment ever handed down to a U.S. senator in a corruption case.
Menendez, who represented New Jersey as a Democrat, was convicted of participating in a years-long bribery and foreign influence scheme. Prosecutors detailed how he accepted gold bars, large sums of cash, and other benefits in exchange for political favors.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein described the case as one of “rare gravity” and denied Menendez’s repeated requests for leniency. The former senator broke down in tears in the courtroom, pleading for mercy as the judge issued the sentence.
“I have lost everything,” Menendez cried. “Other than family, I have lost everything I care about. Every day I am awake is punishment. I am far from a perfect man… in half-century of public service, I have done far more good than bad.”
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Athens Greece August 27, 2021-The President of the Greek Republic awarded the US Senator, Robert (Bob) Menendez the Medal of the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor
Stein conveyed his reluctance about his decision, stating, “I take no pleasure in this sentence,” before delivering the punishment. “You are quite right about your work. You worked your way up to a senator, to the chair of foreign relations committee.”
“You were successful, powerful, stood at apex of political system. All letters are proof. Somewhere along the way, you lost your way,” the judge told Menendez. “Somewhere along the way you became, I’m sorry to say, a corrupt politician.”
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via U.S. Attorney’s Office
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via U.S. Attorney’s Office
Defense attorney Adam Fee urged Stein to acknowledge Menendez’s extensive public service history, suggesting a maximum sentence of eight years. “Despite his decades of service, he is now known more widely as gold bar Bob,” Fee claimed.
In September 2023, Menendez, his wife Nadine, and three businessmen were indicted on charges of federal bribery. The allegations painted a sordid picture of a senator accepting bribes—ranging from cash and gold bars to a luxury car—in return for favors to these businessmen and foreign entities, including the Egyptian government.
Prosecutors detailed how Menendez allegedly shared sensitive U.S. information with Egyptian officials and meddled in legal proceedings to benefit his associates. His trial, which unfolded over nine weeks in a Manhattan federal court, ended in July 2024 with his conviction on 16 counts, including bribery, extortion, acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and obstruction of justice.
The verdict marked Menendez as the first sitting senator convicted of operating as a foreign agent. Following his conviction, Menendez resigned from his Senate seat in August 2024.
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Picture of gold bar via U.S. Attorney’s Office
The series of events is not Menendez’s first brush with allegations of corruption. In 2015, he was charged with accepting gifts from a Florida eye doctor in exchange for political favors, though the case led to a mistrial in 2017 and was eventually dropped in 2018.
The conviction brings an end to Menendez’s long political career, which was overshadowed in recent years by legal battles and allegations of corruption. The case also raised concerns over foreign influence, with prosecutors alleging that Menendez’s actions compromised U.S. interests.
Menendez, who had maintained his innocence, is expected to appeal the decision.
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