Former US Senator Bob Menendez given 11-year jail sentence for bribery

Menendez, as soon as a robust determine in US overseas coverage, was discovered responsible of promoting affect to the Egyptian authorities.

Robert Menendez, a former United States senator representing New Jersey, has been handed an 11-year jail sentence for bribery schemes that included receiving gold bars in trade for favours on behalf of Egypt.

On Wednesday, in sorrowful testimony, Menendez informed a Manhattan federal courtroom that he had misplaced every part he beloved because of the corruption fees, apart from the assist of his spouse.

“For somebody who spent his complete life in public service, every single day I’m awake is a punishment,” Menendez, a Democrat, stated.

Menendez was as soon as a robust determine in US politics, chairing the Senate International Relations Committee.

He additionally garnered a popularity as an outspoken supporter of hawkish overseas insurance policies: For instance, he broke with Democratic ranks to oppose a 2015 deal that may restrict Iran’s nuclear programme in trade for sanctions aid.

However in July 2024, a courtroom discovered him responsible of appearing as a overseas agent on behalf of the Egyptian authorities and buying and selling affect for money, gold and even a Mercedes-Benz automotive.

“You had been profitable, highly effective. You stood on the apex of our political system,” US District Choose Sidney Stein stated at Wednesday’s sentencing listening to.

“Someplace alongside the way in which – and I don’t know when it was – you misplaced your method, and dealing for the general public good grew to become working to your good.”

Menendez, for his half, appealed to the courtroom for mercy, citing his file in public service.

“You actually don’t know the person you’re about to condemn,” Menendez tearfully informed Stein within the courtroom.

“Your honour, I’m removed from an ideal man. I’ve made greater than my share of errors and unhealthy choices,” he added. “I’ve achieved much more good than unhealthy. I ask you, Your Honour, to guage me in that context.”

The decide didn’t seem moved, stating at one level that Menendez had develop into a “corrupt politician”.

The 71-year-old Menendez had served 18 years within the Senate – and, earlier than that, 13 years within the Home of Representatives – earlier than his political profession got here to an abrupt cease in 2024.

In August, amid the scandal of his corruption case, he resigned. The choice got here a month after he was discovered responsible on 16 felony corruption fees.

“Menendez, who swore an oath to signify the US 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 January 9 courtroom submitting. That they had requested a 15-year jail sentence.

Earlier on Wednesday, Menendez’s two co-defendants, New Jersey businessmen Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, had been sentenced respectively to seven and greater than eight years in jail.

A corruption trial for Menendez’s spouse, Nadine, is scheduled to start on March 18.