Former NJ Sen. Bob Menendez reports to federal prison for 11-year bribery sentence
Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to prison
Former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted on 16 felony counts, including bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors accused Menendez of accepting gold bars, cash, and luxury gifts in exchange for political favors, including aiding Egypt and Qatar. FOX 5's Jessica Formoso has the story.
NEW YORK (AP) - Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez arrived at a federal prison on Tuesday to begin serving an 11-year sentence for accepting bribes of gold and cash and acting as an agent of Egypt. The New Jersey Democrat has been mocked for the crimes as "Gold Bar Bob," according to his own lawyer.
The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkil in Pennsylvania. The prison houses 1,200 inmates and is about 118 miles west of New York City.
What we know:
Menendez's lawyers revealed in court papers last month that he is expected to be housed at a facility in eastern Pennsylvania that has both a medium-security prison and a minimum-security prison camp. Given the white-collar nature of his crimes, it's likely he'll end up in the camp.
The prison, the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, is about 118 miles (190 kilometers) west of New York City. It's home to about 1,200 inmates, including ex-New York City organized crime boss James Coonan and former gas station owner Gurmeet Singh Dhinsa, whom the New York Post dubbed "Gas-Station Gotti" for his ruthless, violent ways.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) exits Manhattan federal court on July 16, 2024 in New York City. Menendez and his wife Nadine are accused of taking bribes of gold bars, a luxury car, and cash in exchange for using Menendez
Menendez, 71, maintains his innocence. Last week, a federal appeals court rejected his last-ditch effort to remain free on bail while he fights to get his bribery conviction overturned. A three-judge panel on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his bail motion.
Pleading for leniency, Menendez told a judge at his sentencing in January: "I am far from a perfect man. I have made more than my share of mistakes and bad decisions. I’ve done far more good than bad."
Menendez has also appeared to be angling for a pardon from President Donald Trump, aligning himself with the Republican’s criticisms of the judicial system, particularly in New York City.
"This process is political and it’s corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system," Menendez told reporters after his January sentencing.
The backstory:
Menendez resigned last year after he was convicted of selling his clout for bribes. FBI agents found $480,000 in cash in his home, some of it stuffed inside boots and jacket pockets, along with gold bars worth an estimated $150,000 and a luxury convertible in the garage.
In exchange, prosecutors said, Menendez performed corrupt favors for New Jersey business owners, including protecting them from criminal investigations, helping in business deals with foreign powers and meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials before helping Egypt access $300 million in U.S. military aid.
Menendez, who once served as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, resigned his seat a month after his conviction. He had been in the Senate since 2006.
Two business owners also were convicted last year along with Menendez.
Bob Menendez wife
His wife, Nadine Menendez, was convicted in April of teaming up with her husband to accept bribes from the business owners. Her sentencing has been set for Sept. 11.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife Nadine arrive for a court appearance at Manhattan Federal Court on September 27, 2023 in New York City. Menendez and his wife, who face bribery charges, are accused of taking br
At his sentencing, Menendez’s lawyers described how the son of Cuban immigrants emerged from poverty to become "the epitome of the American Dream" — rising from mayor of Union City, New Jersey, to decades in Congress — before his conviction "rendered him a national punchline."
"Despite his decades of service, he is now known more widely as Gold Bar Bob," defense lawyer Adam Fee told the judge.