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The former Cuban-American senator Bob Menéndez, 71 years old, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for multiple charges of corruption and for acting as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt.
Menéndez, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, cried and pleaded for mercy from the court before being sentenced for accepting bribes in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible, in exchange for negotiating favors for foreign governments and businessmen.
“Your Honor, you have before you a chastened man,” said the politician to Manhattan Judge Sidney Stein, who presided over the case.
"I have dedicated my entire life to serving others. I am far from being a perfect man, but I believe that in my fifty years of public service, I have done more good than harm," he added, tearfully.
The Prosecution had requested 15 years in prison for Menéndez, who organized a corruption network involving the governments of Qatar and Egypt. He utilized his position as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for this purpose. His wife Nadine, who is also accused, is from Egypt and will be tried in March.
"You have been at the pinnacle of our political system. But somewhere along the way, you lost your way," the judge said while reading the sentence.
"Working for the public good became working for your own good. At some point, you became, I regret to say, a corrupt politician," Stein emphasized.
In July, Menéndez was found guilty of 16 charges, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. FBI agents searched his home in New Jersey and discovered 13 gold bars hidden in a safe, along with $480,000 in cash.
Another officer secretly recorded Nadine while she was offering her services as an intermediary to a high-ranking Egyptian official.
The lawyers of the former senator argue that he deserves less than two years in prison for his life dedicated to public service. Menéndez, the son of Cuban immigrants, rose from poverty and built a career in the Democratic Party, representing the state of New Jersey as a senator from 2006 to 2024.
Frequently asked questions about Bob Menéndez's conviction for corruption
Why was Bob Menéndez sentenced to 11 years in prison?
Bob Menéndez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for multiple corruption charges, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. The former senator accepted bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for political favors to foreign governments and businesses.
What was Bob Menéndez's role with the government of Egypt?
Menéndez was accused of acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. He used his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the Egyptian government, even justifying human rights abuses on behalf of Egypt.
What arguments did Bob Menéndez's defense present?
The defense of Menéndez requested leniency in the sentencing, arguing that his conviction had already destroyed his reputation, career, and financial stability. The lawyers emphasized his life dedicated to public service and his age as reasons for a less severe sentence. Menéndez also accused the Department of Justice of using illegal evidence against him.
What role did Nadine Menéndez play in the corruption case?
Nadine Menéndez, wife of Bob Menéndez, is also accused in the case and will be tried in March. She was recorded offering her services as an intermediary to a senior Egyptian official, suggesting her involvement in the corruption network organized by her husband.
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