Judge Sidney Stein sentenced disgraced former Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.) to 11 years in prison on Wednesday, concluding his trial for a “long-running bribery and foreign influence scheme of rare gravity.”
Menendez was convicted in July of 16 felony counts for the long-running corruption scheme following a nine-week trial. Dozens of witnesses testified, including one of the businessmen involved in the scheme.
His sentencing marks a dramatic fall for the lawmaker. Menendez is the first U.S. Senator in American history to be convicted of working as a foreign agent. His co-defendents, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also sentenced to 8 years and 7 years respectively.
The disgraced Democrat was accused and convicted of participating in a yearslong bribery scheme involving the governments of Egypt and Qatar. Menendez’s wife, Nadine, who is set to go on trial on March 18, also allegedly participated in the scheme. She is accused of receiving paychecks for a job that did not exist. (RELATED: US Senator Bob Menendez Charged With Conspiracy To Act As Foreign Agent In New Indictment)
Federal prosecutors said Menendez received lavish gifts from Qatari officials, including luxury watches valued up to $24,000. (RELATED: United States Senator Bob Menendez Charged With Aiding Middle East Government)
Menendez participated in the alleged bribery scheme while serving as the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
