Former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, 71, broke down in tears in a Manhattan courtroom as Judge Sidney Stein sentenced him to 11 years in prison on bribery and corruption charges.
Federal prosecutors had requested a 15-year sentence, citing Menendez’s “shocking levels of corruption” and the vast amounts of cash, gold bars, and luxury items found in his possession.
Menendez’s legal team initially pushed for a two-year sentence, later revising their request to eight years after seeing the sentencing of his co-conspirators—Wael Hana (8 years) and Fred Daibes (7 years).
#breaking: Bob Menendez now asking for EIGHT year sentence, up from the two years (or less) he asked for in writing – his lawyer Adam Fee says this is based on what happened this morning, 8 years on Daibes, 97 months on Hana. Inner City Press live tweeting below https://t.co/afqeWqUBAb
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) January 29, 2025
Menendez sobbed in court, begging Judge Stein for mercy.
“I was consumed by my service, I neglected my two children [sobs]… Let me give you examples… bone marrow transplant, from a sister who was a native of El Salvador—”
Judge Stein interrupted: “You got her a visa.”
Menendez admitted: “She was denied twice. I intervened, yes.”
Judge Stein did not hold back in his sentencing remarks, calling Menendez a “corrupt politician” and citing the evidence against him.
“Almost half a million dollars in your house, cash stuffed in shoes, gold bars… Hubris, you’ll have to figure it out yourself. General deterrence is important. The sentence I intend to impose is 11 years.”
Menendez resigned from the Senate on August 20, 2024, after mounting pressure from then-Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other top Democrats. Following his departure:
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy appointed his former Chief of Staff, George Helmy, as a temporary replacement.
Democrat Andy Kim won the November 2024 Senate election to serve alongside Senator Cory Booker.
Despite his conviction, Menendez vowed to appeal.
“While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
Menendez was convicted in the summer of 2024 following a nine-week trial on multiple bribery and corruption charges. The verdict came after an extensive investigation, which revealed:
1. $500,000 in cash hidden in closets and jacket pockets
2. Gold bars and luxury watches received as bribes
3. A Mercedes Benz given to his wife, Nadine Menendez, in exchange for political favors
4. Acting as a foreign agent for Egypt by providing sensitive U.S. government information
5. Praising Qatar in exchange for luxury gifts
Menendez did not testify in his trial. His wife, Nadine Menendez, is scheduled for sentencing in March 2025.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams summarized the case last year, calling Menendez’s actions “shocking levels of corruption.”
“This wasn’t politics as usual. This was politics for profit. And now that a jury has convicted Bob Menendez, his years of selling his office to the highest bidder have finally come to an end.”