A federal judge in Manhattan has sentenced former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to 11 years in prison, following his conviction on charges of bribery and fraud. Menendez, once a powerful figure in Washington and the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was found guilty of accepting bribes—including gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz—in exchange for political favors benefiting Egypt and New Jersey businessmen.
At the sentencing on January 29, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein addressed Menendez’s high standing in American politics, saying, “You were successful, powerful. You stood at the apex of our political system.” Despite this, Menendez’s involvement in foreign dealings and his role as an unregistered foreign agent led to his conviction on 16 felony counts last July.
Menendez, now 71, resigned from the Senate following the verdict. Before the sentence was handed down, Menendez addressed the court, tearfully expressing his regret and describing how deeply the scandal had impacted him. He requested leniency, pointing to his decades of service and the personal toll the case had taken on his life.
Prosecutors, however, pushed for a harsher penalty, citing the severity of the former senator’s crimes. They argued that Menendez had facilitated military aid to Egypt, assisted Qatar, and intervened in legal matters to protect allies, all in exchange for significant personal gain. “There are not many offenses involving an abuse of power on the scale of Menendez’s,” said prosecutor Paul Monteleoni.
Menendez’s defense attorneys had initially asked for a lighter sentence, recommending no more than two years, citing his age, contributions to public service, and the damage to his career. After seeing the sentences given to the two businessmen convicted alongside Menendez—Fred Daibes (seven years) and Wael Hana (just over eight years)—his lawyer revised the request to eight years.
Meanwhile, Menendez’s wife, Nadine, was initially set to stand trial alongside her husband, but her case has been delayed due to health issues. She is now scheduled to face trial in March, having pleaded not guilty to the charges.
