Prosecutors seek 15-year sentence for disgraced former NJ Sen. Bob Menendez after bribery conviction
Federal prosecutors say disgraced former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was to be jailed for 15 years after being convicted of “a protracted bribery and foreign influence scheme of rare gravity.” On Friday, prosecutors filed a 108-page briefing outlining their case for sentencing Menendez, as well as Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, who were convicted along with the former lawmaker.
In their briefing, prosecutors emphasized the seriousness and depth of the crimes and emphasized their historical significance.
“As proven at trial, the defendants have been involved for years in a scheme of corruption and foreign influence of astonishing brazenness, breadth and duration, resulting in extremely grave abuses of power at the highest levels of the legislative branch United States Government“, the prosecutors wrote.
Menendez is seen leaving Manhattan federal court on July 16, 2024 in New York. (MEGA/GC images)
Prosecutors believe Menendez should be put behind bars for “unspeakable” crimes they say showed “bare greed” and “a sense of entitlement to turn public trust for private and personal gain.”
BOB MENENDEZ TO RESIGN FROM SENATE AMID DEMOCRATIC PRESSURE AFTER GUILTY VERDICT
Menendez arrives at the federal courthouse in New York on September 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The disgraced former Democrat was charged and convicted of participating in a multi-year bribery scheme involving the governments of Egypt and Qatar. Menendez’s wife, Nadine, who is scheduled to go on trial on January 21, was also allegedly involved in the scheme. She was accused of receiving wages for a job that did not exist.
“Menendez, sworn to represent the United States and the State of New Jersey, instead put his high office up for sale in exchange for this treasure trove,” prosecutors said in the filing.
Menendez arrives in Manhattan federal court on October 23, 2023 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
DEMOCRATIC DREAM. BOB MENENDEZ GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS IN FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL
Menendez, who was indicted in 2023, made history in July 2024 when he became the first US senator to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent. He was convicted after a nine-week trial. The former Democratic representative was accused of receiving gifts totaling more than $100,000 in gold bullion as well as cash.
Sentencing is currently scheduled for January 29, 2025.
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Jamie Joseph, Anders Hagstrom and Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
