The Democratic former US senator Bob Menendez was sentenced in federal court docket on Wednesday to 11 years in jail over his 2024 conviction for taking bribes, together with receiving gold bars in trade for doing favors for Egypt and for New Jersey businessmen.
Final yr he additionally grew to become the primary former senator to be convicted of performing as a international agent.
The US district decide Sidney Stein handed down the custodial sentence at a listening to in court docket in New York Metropolis.
Menendez was an influential and long-serving lawmaker and high-profile determine within the Democratic get together.
He spent nearly 19 years representing New Jersey in Washington DC. He was discovered responsible final July on all counts after being indicted on 16 felony fees, together with bribery and fraud. Menendez reluctantly resigned from the Senate final August, proclaiming his innocence.
Prosecutors with the Manhattan US lawyer’s workplace had urged Stein to condemn Menendez to fifteen years in jail. They are saying he shepherded army assist to Egypt, supplied help to Qatar and interfered in native prosecutions of allied businessmen in trade for bribes together with gold, money and a Mercedes-Benz.
“Menendez, who swore an oath to signify the USA and the State of New Jersey, as a substitute put his excessive workplace up on the market in trade for this hoard of bribes,” prosecutors wrote in a 9 January court docket submitting.
Menendez, 71, had pleaded not responsible and has vowed to enchantment.
His legal professionals stated the previous chair of the Senate’s international relations committee ought to spend not more than a little bit over two years behind bars, citing his age, a long time of public service, charitable works, devotion to household, and monetary {and professional} destroy.
Earlier on Wednesday, Stein sentenced two convicted co-defendants. The New Jersey businessman Fred Daibes acquired seven years in jail and Wael Hana simply over eight years.
Menendez’s spouse, Nadine Menendez, was to be tried together with her husband on corruption fees, however her trial was postponed after her legal professionals stated she wanted remedy for breast most cancers. Her trial is scheduled for 18 March, and she or he has pleaded not responsible.
Reuters contributed reporting
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