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Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years for Bribery

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HUDSON COUNTY, NJ – Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison today following his conviction for accepting bribes, including gold bars, cash, and a luxury vehicle. U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein issued the sentence in a Manhattan courtroom after Menendez, a long-time political figure in New Jersey, addressed the court, expressing remorse and reflecting on his public service career.

“You were successful, powerful, you stood at the apex of our political system,” Judge Stein stated. “Somewhere along the way, you lost your way, and working for the public good became working for your good.”

Menendez, once a key figure in Hudson County politics, served as Union City’s mayor before ascending to state and federal offices. His career took a dramatic turn after his arrest and subsequent conviction for acting on behalf of Egyptian interests. Prosecutors revealed that Menendez exchanged political favors for bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, including attempts to shield his associates from legal troubles and to influence U.S. foreign policy towards Egypt.

During the trial, evidence presented included $480,000 in cash and $150,000 in gold bars discovered during an FBI raid on the Englewood Cliffs home Menendez shared with his wife, Nadine. Menendez denied the allegations, maintaining that his actions were standard for his role as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman.

Prosecutors argued that Menendez had “put his high office up for sale,” referencing his involvement in securing special treatment for New Jersey real estate developer Fred Daibes and entrepreneur Wael Hana, who were also sentenced earlier today. Daibes received seven years in prison and a $1.75 million fine, while Hana was sentenced to eight years and a $1.25 million fine.

Menendez’s lawyers had sought a reduced sentence, highlighting his decades of public service. “Despite his decades of service, he is now known more widely as ‘gold bar Bob,’” attorney Adam Fee acknowledged.

Menendez resigned from the Senate following his conviction in late 2024.