Disgraced ex-Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in bribery case

Judge Sidney Stein handed down a harsh sentence to former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez on Wednesday, sentencing him to 11 years in prison for his involvement in a “long-running bribery and foreign influence scheme of rare gravity.” Menendez, 71, was found guilty on 16 counts of bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice on July 24, making him the first U.S. Senator in history to be convicted of working as a foreign agent. His co-defendants, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also sentenced to 8 years and 7 years respectively.

Prosecutors had requested a 15-year sentence for Menendez, citing the “stunning brazenness” of the corruption and foreign influence scheme in which he participated. The trial, which lasted nine weeks, revealed that Menendez had accepted gifts totaling over $100,000 in gold bars and cash.

The disgraced Democrat was accused of engaging in a bribery scheme involving the governments of Egypt and Qatar. His wife, Nadine, is also facing charges for allegedly receiving paychecks for a fictitious job as part of the scheme.

“Menendez, who took an oath to serve the United States and the state of New Jersey, instead chose to sell his office in exchange for a cache of bribes,” prosecutors asserted before the sentencing.

Menendez’s conviction marked a historic moment in American politics, as he became the first U.S. senator to be found guilty of acting as a foreign agent. His downfall came after a lengthy legal battle that exposed his acceptance of lavish gifts from foreign entities.

As Menendez prepares to serve his prison sentence, the political landscape in New Jersey will undoubtedly shift. The once-prominent Democratic lawmaker has been stripped of his power and will now face the consequences of his corrupt actions.

In conclusion, the sentencing of Bob Menendez serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and honesty in public office. The case highlights the need for accountability and transparency in government, and sends a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated.

(Author’s note: This article is a rewritten version of a news report originally published on Fox News. Credit goes to reporters Jamie Joseph, Rachel Wolf, and Maria Paronich for their contributions to the original piece.)