Former United States senator from New Jersey Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for what prosecutors described as one of the most brazen corruption schemes in U.S. history.
The 71-year-old politician, who served nearly 18 years in the Senate, was convicted last year of taking nearly $1 million in bribes, including cash, gold bars, and a luxury car, Washington Post reports.
Menendez appeared before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein on Wednesday for sentencing, holding back tears as he defended his public service.
āI believe that in a half-century of public service Iāve done far more good than bad,ā he said.
Prosecutors said Menendez took bribes from three New Jersey businessmen seeking favours, including help in securing deals with Egyptian and Qatari officials.
Evidence showed that Menendez facilitated military aid to Egypt and provided sensitive U.S. information. He is the first U.S. official convicted of acting as a foreign agent.
Businessmen Wael āWillā Hana and Fred Daibes, who conspired with Menendez, were also sentenced. Daibes received seven years and two months, while Hana was given eight years and one month.
A third businessman, Jose Uribe, had earlier pleaded guilty and is expected to testify against Menendezās wife, Nadine, in her upcoming trial.
Prosecutors pushed for a 15-year sentence and financial penalties, arguing Menendezās actions severely undermined public trust.
āVery few Senators have even been convicted of any criminal offense, and of those, mostā¦ accepted amounts that are a fraction of what Menendez reaped,ā they stated in court filings.
Menendez, however, denied wrongdoing, insisting he was unaware of his wifeās dealings and arguing his political efforts were legitimate.
His defence team sought either no prison time or a reduced sentence, portraying the case as an overreach.
Despite the conviction, Menendez remains defiant, vowing to appeal. āSenator Menendez has given his life to his country and to his community,ā his attorneys wrote, adding that his political career is now in ruins.
The former senator had previously faced bribery charges in 2017, though that case ended in a mistrial. The Senate Ethics Committee later reprimanded him for failing to disclose expensive gifts from a donor.
Menendez is free on bond as he appeals his 15 felony convictions, which include bribery, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent.
His wifeās trial is set for March 18, with prosecutors expecting Uribe to testify against her.
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