Bob Menendez Sentenced To More Than A Decade In Prison In Corruption Scandal

Former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison this week after being convicted last year in a public corruption scandal where he took bribes to influence U.S. policy.

Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was forced to forfeit more than $920,000 after he was convicted over the summer on 16 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, two counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice, two counts of bribery, three counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of extortion under color of official right, conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent, public official acting as foreign agent, and obstruction of justice.

Menendez accepted bribes from three businessmen in exchange for actions that he took as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. According to the Department of Justice, the alleged bribes were intended to protect the businessmen and to benefit Egypt.

Prosecutors later said in a revised indictment that Menendez also allegedly used his clout to help a friend secure a multi-million dollar investment deal from the Qatari government, in part by taking actions that benefited Qatar.

Two of the co-conspirators in the case who made the bribes, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were sentenced to more than eight years and seven years in prison, respectively.

Menendez’s wife Nadine was also charged in the case, but her trial has been repeatedly delayed as she battles breast cancer.

U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “The sentences imposed today result from an egregious abuse of power at the highest levels of the Legislative Branch of the federal government.”

“Robert Menendez was trusted to represent the United States and the State of New Jersey, but instead he used his position to help his co-conspirators and a foreign government, in exchange for bribes like cash, gold, and a luxury car,” she continued. “The sentences imposed today send a clear message that attempts at any level of government to corrupt the nation’s foreign policy and the rule of law will be met with just punishment.”