Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday for a high-profile bribery and corruption scheme that netted him gold bars and stacks of cash in exchange for political favors.
During his emotional plea for mercy Senator Bob Menendez wept and declared he had “lost everything” when he was 71 years old and had formerly chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Judge Sidney Stein showed no leniency when he stated, “Somewhere along your path you developed into a corrupt politician.”
The July former New Jersey Democrat received bribery and extortion and conspiracy along with acting as a foreign agent after taking lavish payments targeting Egypt and Qatar. A search of Menendez’s possession revealed over $480,000 stashed in his clothes as well as a Mercedes-Benz and gold bars.
Judge Stein authorized a $1 million forfeiture order while allowing Menendez to stay free until June 6 so he could watch his wife Nadine Menendez’s trial as her co-defendant.
Throughout his case Menendez insisted each day was a politically motivated “witch hunt” as he continued to seek pardoning help from Donald Trump before failing to receive mercy from President Biden.
Chief among those convicted alongside Menendez are co-defendants Wael Hana and Fred Daibes since Jose Uribe stands accused and remains in pre-sentencing awaiting court decisions.
The former public official Menendez combined with his credentials now belongs to an exclusive group of U.S. senators who have been convicted of wrongdoing. He has vowed to appeal.
