Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years on corruption and bribery charges
Former Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been sentenced to 11 years in prison following his conviction on 16 federal charges related to a long-term bribery and extortion conspiracy. This sentencing marks a significant fall from grace for Menendez, once a powerful figure in politics. In court, he expressed his regret, stating that he has lost everything and that each day feels like punishment for him. The jury deliberated for over 12 hours in a trial that lasted nine weeks, ultimately finding him guilty of serious offenses including bribery, conspiracy, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. Menendez’s lawyer argued for leniency, highlighting his nearly 50 years of public service, despite him being frequently enough labeled as “Gold Bar bob” due to the nature of his crimes. This verdict makes Menendez the seventh sitting U.S. senator to be convicted of a federal crime and the first to face such charges related to acting as a foreign agent. the case remains ongoing as further updates are expected.
Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years on corruption and bribery charges
Former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday after being found guilty on 16 federal charges last year in what prosecutors called a coordinated years-long bribery and conspiracy scheme.
The sentence capped the extraordinary downfall of a once-powerful lawmaker.
“I have lost everything,” Menendez said, pleading with U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein for mercy. “For a man who spent his entire life in public service, every day I am awake is a punishment.”
Menendez was found guilty on charges including extortion, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy. The jury deliberated for more than 12 hours over the course of three days. The trial lasted nine weeks.
The verdict made Menendez the seventh sitting U.S. senator to be convicted of a federal crime. He is also the first senator to be charged with acting as a foreign agent and the first to be indicted in separate bribery cases. His first prosecution, in 2017, resulted in a mistrial after jurors could not come to a unanimous verdict.
Menendez’s lawyer, Adam Fee, argued Wednesday that the disgraced 71-year-old lawmaker deserved credit for his nearly five decades of public service.
“For nearly 50 years he’s been a tireless servant of his community, his state, and his country,” Fee said. “Despite his decades of service he is known more widely as ‘Gold Bar Bob.’”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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