Former US-Senator Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Bribery Conviction

By FrumNews.com

The former United States Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison, for using his political influence as a powerful member of Congress to benefit New Jersey businessmen in exchange for bribes and acting as a foreign agent.

In 2024 the jury found him guilty of all 16 counts, including bribery, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent, and honest services wire fraud.

Two New Jersey businessmen who were accused of bribing the Senator were also found guilty.

Former Senator Menendez, a once powerful Democrat who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was accused by the Justice Department of using the power of his office in exchange for bribes, honest services wire fraud, and acting as an agent for foreign governments.

Among the bribes he was accused of taking were 13 gold bars found in his New Jersey home during a raid by the FBI.

The sentence is the harshest ever handed down to a U.S. senator. Breaking down in tears, Menendez pleaded with U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein for mercy in a New York City courtroom.

“I am innocent,” he proclaimed, vowing to appeal.

Outside the courthouse, Menendez proclaimed his innocence, calling his prosecution a “witch hunt” by the Justice Department.

“President Trump is right. This process is political and it’s corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores integrity to the system,” he said.