Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a long-running corruption scheme in which he leveraged his political influence to benefit the Egyptian government in exchange for luxury gifts.
The 71-year-old, who once chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was convicted of bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent—the most serious offense of its kind in Senate history.
During sentencing, Menendez, visibly emotional, pleaded for leniency, highlighting his decades of public service and personal sacrifices. However, Judge Sidney Stein emphasized that his misconduct could not go unpunished, stating, “The public cannot be led to believe that you can get away with bribery.”
The investigation revealed that Menendez accepted bribes from three New Jersey businessmen, including gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for political favors. Prosecutors uncovered over $480,000 in cash hidden in clothing and shoes, as well as $100,000 in gold bars. His co-conspirators, including real estate developer Fred Daibes and businessman Wael Hana, also received prison sentences.
Menendez’s wife, Nadine Menendez, is set to stand trial in March, with his defense arguing she played a key role in the scheme.
Despite his conviction and calls for his resignation, Menendez initially considered running for re-election as an independent before ultimately stepping down. He continues to maintain his innocence and has vowed to appeal.
