Former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison after being convicted of bribery and corruption charges, marking a stunning downfall for the longtime lawmaker who once chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
A jury last year found the Democrat guilty of accepting bribes-including cash, gold bars, and a luxury car-in exchange for political favors that benefited both private businessmen and the Egyptian government. The 71-year-old was also convicted of acting as a foreign agent while in office, making him the first U.S. senator to be found guilty of such a charge.
"The public cannot be led to the belief that you can get away with bribery, fraud, and betrayal," U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein said during sentencing in a Manhattan federal courtroom. "You were successful, powerful, you stood at the apex of our political system. Somewhere along the way, and I don't know when it was, you lost your way and working for the public good became working for your good."
Menendez, who appeared emotional in court, addressed the judge before his sentence was handed down. "You have before you a chastened man," he said. "Other than family, I have lost everything I ever cared about. For someone who spent his entire life in public service, every day I'm awake is a punishment."
Despite his contrition inside the courtroom, Menendez struck a defiant tone outside, casting his conviction as a politically motivated attack. "President Trump was right," he declared to reporters. "This process is political, and it's corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system."
Menendez stopped short of directly requesting a pardon but left the door open for an appeal to the White House. The former senator's remarks echoed sentiments expressed by Trump and his allies, who have criticized the U.S. justice system as being politically biased.
A Legacy Marred by Scandal
Once considered a powerful force in Democratic politics, Menendez's influence waned after his indictment in September 2023. He was forced to step down from his committee chairmanship and later resigned from the Senate following his conviction.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of at least 15 years, arguing that Menendez "abused his power in an extraordinary way" and should forfeit millions in assets linked to his corruption scheme. "Using his power to help people is what he was supposed to do. It's what he was elected to do," prosecutor Paul Monteleoni told the court.
Menendez's legal team countered that his decades of public service should be considered in his sentencing. His attorney, Adam Fee, argued that the former senator had dedicated his life to helping others and had already paid a heavy price. "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 now known more widely as 'Gold Bar Bob.'"
Bribery Scheme and Fallout
The case against Menendez centered on his dealings with three businessmen, including real estate developer Fred Daibes and halal certification executive Wael Hana. Prosecutors presented evidence that Menendez attempted to influence U.S. foreign policy to benefit Egypt, facilitated business deals for his co-conspirators, and pressured the Department of Agriculture to maintain a lucrative monopoly on halal meat certification.
During a search of Menendez's home, FBI agents uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash-some stuffed into shoes and jacket pockets-as well as gold bars and luxury items. His wife, Nadine Menendez, was also indicted but has yet to stand trial due to ongoing cancer treatment.
Two of Menendez's co-defendants were sentenced on Wednesday, with Daibes receiving seven years in prison and Hana eight years. The third businessman involved, Jose Uribe, testified against them and is set to be sentenced later this year.
The former senator has vowed to appeal his conviction, and his legal team has requested that he be allowed to remain out of prison during the process. The judge has not yet ruled on that request.
