Senator Bob Menendez was today convicted of 16 counts – including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent – for his role in a years long bribery scheme.
Bob Menendez Prison Sentence
| Serious Charges | Extortion, wire fraud: 20 years each. |
| Maximum Sentence | Up to 222 years, 16 charges. |
| Sentences Served | Typically run concurrently unless otherwise. |
| Prosecutors’ Arguments | Helped Egypt, interfered with prosecutions. |
| Alleged Bribes | Gold, cash, car, other bribes. |
| Nadine Menendez’s Charges | Indefinite trial delay, not guilty. |
The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud can each lead to up to 20 years in prison. Altogether, Menendez could face up to 222 years in prison for the 16 charges if they are served one after the other. However, the sentences would usually be served at the same time unless the court says otherwise.
Prosecutors argued that the senator used his power to help Egyptian military interests, interfere with criminal cases, and get investments from Qatari officials, among other things.
Menendez and his wife allegedly received gold bars, a lot of cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and other bribes in exchange for his influence.
The senator’s wife, Nadine Menendez, was also charged, but her trial was delayed indefinitely by the judge after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has pleaded not guilty.
Charges Against Bob Menendez
The key allegations are that Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, including gold bars, luxury vehicles, and cash, from three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for using his influence as a senator to assist them with various projects and investigations.
Specifically, Menendez is accused of helping an Egyptian-American businessman secure military sales and financing from Egypt, facilitating a multi-million dollar investment from Qatar for a real estate developer, and intervening in state and federal prosecutions on behalf of his associates.
Menendez’s wife, Nadine, has also been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice for her alleged role in the scheme, including meeting with one of the businessmen to discuss his intended statements to investigators.