The former Cuban American Bob Menéndez71, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for several positions of corruption and for acting as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt.
Menéndez, Democratic senator for New Jersey, cried and asked for clemency from the court before being convicted of accepting bribes in money, gold bullion and a convertible Mercedes-Benz, as payment for negotiating favors to governments and foreign businessmen.
“Your honor, you have a scanned man before you,” the politician of Manhattan Sindey Stein, who was in charge of the case.
“I have dedicated my life to the service of others. I am far from being a perfect man, but I think that in my half century of public service, I have done rather than badly,” he added in tears.
The Prosecutor had requested 15 years in prison for Menéndez, who organized a corruption network with the Governments of Catar and Egypt. For this, he used his position at the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From Egypt comes his wife Nadine, who is also accused and will be judged in March.
“You have been at the cusp of our political system. But somewhere in the way, you lost the course,” the judge told him when reading the conviction.
“Working for the public good became working for your good. At some point you became, I’m sorry to say it, a corrupt politician,” said Stein.
In July, Menéndez was declared 16 positionsamong them bribery, extortion, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. FBI agents registered their New Jersey house and found 13 gold bullion hidden in a safe and $ 480,000 in cash.
Another officer recorded Nadine when she offered her intermediary services to a senior Egyptian official.
The former senator’s lawyers argue that he deserves less than two years in prison for his life dedicated to public service. Menéndez, son of Cuban immigrants, left poverty and built a career in the Democratic Party, representing the state of New Jersey as a senator between 2006 and 2024.
Frequent questions about Bob Menéndez’s conviction for corruption
Why was Bob Menéndez sentenced to 11 years in jail?
Bob Menéndez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for several corruption positions, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The former senator accepted bribes in the form of effective money, gold bullion and a Mercedes-Benzin exchange for political favors to foreign governments and entrepreneurs.
What was the role of Bob Menéndez with the government of Egypt?
Menéndez was accused of acting as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt. He used his position as president of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the Egyptian Governmenteven justifying human rights abuse in the name of Egypt.
What arguments did the defense of Bob Menéndez present?
Menéndez’s defense requested indulgence in the sentence, arguing that his conviction had already destroyed his reputation, career and financial stability. The lawyers highlighted their life dedicated to public service and their age as reasons for a less severe sentence. Menéndez also accused the Department of Justice of using illegal evidence against him.
What role did Nadine Menéndez play in the case of corruption?
Nadine Menéndez, wife of Bob Menéndez, is also accused in the case and will be judged in March. He was recorded offering his intermediary services to a senior Egyptian officialwhich suggests his participation in the corruption network organized by her husband.
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