A jury convicted Menendez in July 2024 of 16 crimes, including bribery, extortion, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. He resigned his position as a U.S. senator a month later, but he has yet to be sentenced.

Ethics Commissioner Victor Herlinsky penned the letter pleading on behalf of his friend, calling Menendez a “champion for people.” Herlinsky is one of six appointed commissioners whose job is to seek out conflicts of interest within the state government, among other objectives.

“I sincerely wish that I didn’t have to write this letter,” Herlinsky’s letter begins. “I would have much rather been writing a letter to support Bob Menendez’s re-election this November. I have been proud to support his efforts as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to protect oppressed peoples throughout the world, particularly in Ukraine.

“His voice will be sorely missed as a champion for people victimized by autocrats,” it continues. “Alas, I am writing Your Honor as you contemplate the sentence to impose on now ex-Senator Bob Menendez for actions atypical of the Bob Menendez I know.”

The theme of Herlinsky’s letter relates to the fact that he believes Menendez has done enough good to excuse at least some of his actions. He especially noted his pro-Ukraine stance, saying it was “particularly poignant for me” given that both of his parents are Ukrainian refugees.

He also said he played golf with the senator and “bonded over the reality that neither of us is a particularly stellar golfer.”

“I am letting Your Honor know of all the good that Senator Menendez has done so you will be able to balance that against the actions you heard at trial,” Herlinsky wrote. “In light of all the good that Senator Menendez has done, I do not believe he deserves a lengthy jail sentence. I ask that you look at the totality of his life and give Bob a sentence that will allow him to live a useful and fulfilling life in service to his community. I want to thank Your Honor for your thoughtfulness during the trial and consideration of this letter.”

Menendez, 71, could receive a sentence longer than his natural life. The Probation Department calculated federal sentencing guidelines as calling for a sentence as high as 30 years in prison, though it recommended 12 years behind bars.

His lawyers begged the judge to be lenient on his sentence given the trial has “caused financial and professional ruin” and the fact that he is already enduring his wife’s cancer diagnosis.

“We respectfully submit that, notwithstanding his conviction, Bob is deserving of mercy because of the penalties already imposed, his age, and the lack of a compelling need to impose a custodial sentence,” the lawyers added.

Others have vouched for Menendez, including the mayor of Passaic, New Jersey, and Menendez’s former chief of staff, Danny O’Brien. His son, Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), said he hoped his father could be a presence in his grandchildren’s lives and offset the “precious moments that he missed” serving as a senator.

Federal prosecutors will submit their own sentencing recommendations later this month.