Federal prosecutors say disgraced former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez should be jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of a “prolonged bribery and highly significant foreign influence scheme.” said. On Friday, prosecutors filed a 108-page brief outlining their case for sentencing Menendez and fellow former convicts Wael Hana and Fred Dives.
At the press conference, prosecutors emphasized the seriousness and depth of the crime and pointed out its historical importance.
“As proven at trial, the defendants engaged in a corruption and foreign influence scheme over a period of years of astonishing brazenness, breadth, and duration that resulted in “resulted in a very serious abuse of power,” prosecutors wrote.
Menendez is seen leaving Manhattan Federal Court in New York City on July 16, 2024. (MEGA/GC image)
Prosecutors believe Menendez should be imprisoned for his “egregious” crimes, which showed “naked greed” and “a sense of entitlement that turned the public’s trust into personal and personal gain.”
Bob Menendez to resign from Senate amid democratic pressure after guilty verdict
Mr. Menendez will arrive in federal court in New York City on September 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The disgraced former Democratic Party lawmaker was accused and convicted of participating in a years-long bribery scheme involving the Egyptian and Qatari governments. Menendez’s wife, Nadine, who is scheduled to go on trial on January 21, is also said to have participated in the scheme. She is accused of receiving paychecks for jobs that don’t exist.
“Mr. Menendez, who was sworn to represent the United States and the state of New Jersey, offered a high-level position for sale in exchange for this large bribe,” prosecutors said in a brief.
Menendez will appear in Manhattan federal court in New York on October 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty on all charges in federal corruption trial
Menendez, who was indicted in 2023, made history in July 2024 by becoming the first U.S. senator to be convicted as a foreign agent. His conviction came after a nine-week trial. The former Democratic lawmaker is accused of accepting gifts totaling more than $100,000, including cash and gold bars.
His sentence is currently scheduled to be handed down on January 29, 2025.
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Jamie Joseph, Anders Hagstrom and Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
