Ex-Senator Bob Menéndez Sentenced to 11 Years in Bribery and Corruption Case

NEW YORK (AP) — Former U.S. Senator Bob Menéndez was sentenced to 11 years in prison Wednesday for accepting bribes in cash and gold bars and acting as an agent for Egypt while leveraging his political influence for personal gain. The sentencing, delivered by U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein in Manhattan, marks a dramatic fall for the once-powerful Democrat.

Menéndez, 70, tearfully addressed the court before his sentencing, claiming he had lost everything he valued except his wife. “You were successful, powerful, at the pinnacle of our political system,” Judge Stein said. “At some point, you lost your way, and working for the public good became working for your own good.”

Prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term for Menéndez, who was convicted on multiple charges, including acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and accepting bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The bribes included cash, a Mercedes-Benz, and gold bars, which were discovered hidden in his home during a 2022 raid.

Menéndez, who resigned from the Senate in August, was the first sitting member of Congress to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent. His defense team argued for a lighter sentence, citing his decades of public service, his age, and his wife’s illness. “Bob Menéndez is a man who has lived the American Dream,” defense attorney Adam Fee said. “But now, he is more known as u2018Bob the gold bar guy.u2019”

Judge Stein rejected the defense’s plea for leniency, emphasizing the severity of the crimes. “The public cannot be led to believe that bribery, fraud, and betrayal are acceptable,” Stein said. “You were at the top of our political system, and somewhere along the way, you lost your way.”

Menéndez maintained his innocence throughout the trial and sentencing. “You have before you a chastened man,” he told the judge. “I have dedicated my entire life to serving others. I have never been anything but a patriot for my country.”

Two New Jersey businessmen linked to the case, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also sentenced to eight and seven years in prison, respectively. Hana was fined $1.25 million, while Daibes was ordered to pay $1.75 million.

The case has drawn widespread attention for its implications on public trust in government. Prosecutors argued that Menéndez’s actions caused “immeasurable harm to public confidence” and demanded a sentence that would deter others from similar abuses of power.