Former Cuban-American senator Bob Menendez, aged 71, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on several corruption charges and for acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, broke down in tears and pleaded for leniency before being sentenced for accepting bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, and a convertible Mercedes-Benz in exchange for brokering favors for foreign governments and businessmen.
"Your Honor, you have before you a chastened man," the politician told Manhattan Judge Sindey Stein, who presided over the case. "I have dedicated my entire life to public service. I am far from perfect, but I believe that in my half-century of public service, I have done more good than harm," he added tearfully.
The prosecution had sought a 15-year prison term for Menendez, who orchestrated a corruption network involving the governments of Qatar and Egypt, leveraging his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His wife, Nadine, originally from Egypt, is also accused and set to stand trial in March.
"You have been at the pinnacle of our political system. But somewhere along the way, you lost your path," the judge remarked while delivering the sentence. "Working for public good turned into working for your own benefit. At some point, you became, I'm sorry to say, a corrupt politician," Stein emphasized.
In July, Menendez was convicted on 16 counts, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. FBI agents searching his New Jersey home discovered 13 gold bars hidden in a safe and $480,000 in cash. Another officer secretly recorded Nadine offering her intermediary services to a high-ranking Egyptian official.
The former senator's lawyers argue that he deserves less than two years in prison due to his lifetime commitment to public service. Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, rose from poverty to build a career in the Democratic Party, representing New Jersey as a senator from 2006 to 2024.
Details on Bob Menendez's Corruption Case
What were the main charges against Bob Menendez?
Bob Menendez faced charges including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice, primarily for accepting bribes and acting as a foreign agent.
How did Bob Menendez use his political position?
Menendez leveraged his role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to establish a network of corruption involving foreign governments.
What was found during the FBI's search of Menendez's home?
The FBI discovered 13 gold bars and $480,000 in cash hidden in a safe at Menendez's New Jersey residence.