Former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez has received an 11-year prison sentence from Judge Sidney Stein, marking the conclusion of his trial related to a significant bribery and foreign influence operation. The ruling follows Menendez’s conviction on July 24 for 16 charges, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. Menendez, aged 71, became the first U.S. senator found guilty of working as a foreign agent.
Prosecutors had initially sought a 15-year sentence for Menendez, highlighting the severity and duration of the corruption involved. His 11-year term is believed to be the harshest criminal penalty a Senator has ever received.
Menendez faced accusations during the trial of accepting over $100,000 in bribes in the form of gold bars and cash. The trial, which lasted for nine weeks, revealed details of the senator’s activities involving the governments of Egypt and Qatar. His wife, Nadine Menendez, is also implicated in the scheme. She will face trial beginning March 18, accused of receiving payments for a non-existent job.
Before sentencing, prosecutors stated that the senator betrayed the trust of the United States and New Jersey by permitting his office to be used for bribery. Menendez’s co-defendants—Wael Hana and Fred Daibes—have been sentenced to eight and seven years in prison, respectively.
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