Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted on multiple felony charges, including bribery and acting as an agent for a foreign country.
Menendez, a Democrat who served in the U.S. Senate for over 18 years before resigning following his indictment in August 2024, was found guilty on all 16 felony counts by a federal jury late last year.
The 71-year-old was convicted of accepting bribes—including cash, gold bars, and a luxury Mercedes-Benz—in exchange for political favors benefiting Egypt and a New Jersey businessman. His conviction marks the first time a U.S. senator has been found guilty of acting as a foreign agent.
Prosecutors accused Menendez of leveraging his political influence to provide military aid and assistance to Egypt and Qatar while also attempting to halt local prosecutions of allies in exchange for bribes. They had recommended a 15-year sentence.
“Menendez, who swore an oath to represent the United States and the State of New Jersey, instead put his high office up for sale in exchange for this hoard of bribes,” prosecutors stated in a January 9 court filing.
However, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein sentenced Menendez to 11 years in prison during a hearing in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.
Menendez has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty and vowing to appeal the verdict. His legal team argued for a reduced sentence of no more than eight years, citing his age, decades of public service, and charitable contributions.
