Former US Senator Bob Menendez is facing a potential 15-year prison sentence after being convicted of abusing his Senate committee leadership position and serving as a foreign agent. Prosecutors have filed papers in Manhattan federal court calling for the lengthy prison term for the 71-year-old Democrat from New Jersey, who was convicted in July on 16 corruption charges.
The charges stemmed from an FBI raid on Menendez's residence in 2022, which uncovered $150,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in cash. Prosecutors alleged that much of this money was the result of bribes paid by three New Jersey businessmen who sought the senator's help in protecting their interests and making profits.
Menendez, who was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time of his charges in fall 2023, was forced to relinquish his position and eventually gave up his Senate seat in August. His defense lawyers have argued for leniency, citing the impact of the conviction on Menendez's personal, professional, and financial life.
Two businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also convicted in connection with the case, with prosecutors recommending at least 10 years in prison for Hana and at least nine years for Daibes. The crimes were said to have taken place between 2018 and 2022.
Prosecutors described the case as a 'historical rarity,' highlighting Menendez's abuse of power on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his role as an agent of Egypt. They accused Menendez of attempting to influence foreign relations and subvert the rule of law by disrupting criminal proceedings.
One of the key aspects of the corruption scheme involved granting Hana's company the exclusive right to certify meat exported to Egypt as meeting Islamic dietary requirements, effectively creating a monopoly that displaced other companies in the market.
The sentencing for Menendez and his co-defendants is set for January 29, where the judge will determine the appropriate punishment for the crimes committed.
