Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday afternoon in a Lower Manhattan court.
Menendez, 71, was convicted last July on 16 charges, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors had requested that Menendez serve 15 years in prison, citing “the seriousness of the defendant’s offenses, the immeasurable damage to public trust, and the need to deter others from engaging in such gross abuses of power.”
The defense argued that Menendez should receive less than two years in prison, stating that his client was financially and professionally devastated and deserved clemency due to his age.
US District Judge Sidney H. Stein was more supportive of the government’s side. “Somewhere along the way, unfortunately, you became a corrupt politician,” Stein said.
Sources close to the former three-term Democratic senator told CBS News that Menendez prayed frequently and spent time with his son, daughter, and grandchildren before learning of his sentence.
Menendez became emotional as he addressed the judge during the hearing, saying the case had shattered his work and the values he stood for, harming his family and the community he represents.
“Your honor, you have before you a repentant man. You don’t really know the man you are about to sentence. I have lost everything, everything I hold dear,” Menendez said.
“I have devoted my entire life to serving others. I am far from a perfect person, but I believe I have done more good than bad in my half-century of public service,” Menendez added, referring to his upbringing and being the first in his family to attend college and law school.
Menendez, who has announced that he will appeal, must surrender to authorities on June 6.
Fordham University law professor Cheryl Bader called it “a significant punishment for a very significant offense,” adding, “I think the judge was extremely disturbed by how Senator Menendez used this great power, particularly the power on the Foreign Relations Committee. The judge was troubled that [Menendez] compromised his interests and literally filled his pockets and boots with cash and gold bars. I think the judge found it particularly egregious that he used the power to advance the goals of a foreign country over US foreign policy.”
After leaving the court, Menendez told reporters that he accused the prosecution of ignoring the numerous crimes committed by his star witness. He also echoed many of President Donald Trump’s remarks about the Southern District of New York.
“This whole process is nothing more than a political witch hunt by Justice Department prosecutors… [They] are more interested in collecting scalps like Damian Williams and preparing for public office,” Menendez said.
“Welcome to the Southern District of New York, the Wild West of political prosecutions. President Trump is right. This process is political and corrupt to the core. I hope President Trump will drain this swamp and restore integrity to the system,” he added.
Prosecutors say Menendez was a foreign agent for Egypt
Federal prosecutors say Menendez acted as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government and abused his authority on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He was found guilty of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, a luxury car, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
Menendez has denied repeatedly violating his oath to public office, and his lawyers asked for his conviction to be overturned, and his sentence suspended, but a federal judge rejected both requests.
Menendez resigned as a senator last August. He was replaced by Andy Kim.
