Former Sen. Menendez learns his fate in corruption, bribery case

Former Democratic Senator from New Jersey, Robert Menendez, has finally learned his fate in the bribery and corruption case that had him resigning his seat in disgrace.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As the grand jury charged, between 2018 and 2022, Senator Menendez and his wife engaged in a corrupt relationship with Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes – three New Jersey businessmen who collectively paid hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes, including cash, gold, a Mercedes Benz, and other things of value – in exchange for Senator Menendez agreeing to use his power and influence to protect and enrich those businessmen and to benefit the Government of Egypt. My Office is firmly committed to rooting out corruption, without fear or favor, and without any regard to partisan politics. We will continue to do so.”

In June 2022, the FBI raided the New Jersey home of Menendez and his lovely wife Nadine. During the search, they uncovered evidence of a bribery scheme, which included cash, gold bars, a luxury convertible, and furniture. They found more than $480,000 in cash, a lot of it hidden in envelopes stuffed into clothes, closets, and a safe. Additionally, over $70,000 in cash was discovered in Nadine Menendez's safe deposit box, which was searched under a different warrant. Some envelopes had fingerprints or DNA from Daibes or his driver. Others were tucked inside jackets with Menendez's name on them, hanging in his closet. 

But today is the day of reckoning. Bob Menendez got sentenced to 11 years in prison and his career in public life is in the toilet of time. Boss Bob, as he is known in the Garden State, had evaded accountability for his shady schemes but his past has finally caught up to him.

Did I mention Menendez is a Democrat?

In 2015, the Obama Justice Department tried to convict him regarding his relationship with a Florida-based ophthalmologist and donor, Salomon Melgen. In return for allegedly pushing his business interests, Melgen plied him with expensive gifts. Later, the business man would be found guilty of being involved in a Medicare fraud scheme. And while Menendez was able to skate by the law, the Justice Department kept an eye on him.

In 2023, he was indicted after almost $500,000 in cash was discovered throughout his home, including a horde of gold bars. He earned the moniker “gold bar Bob” over this discovery.

Last July, a jury found him guilty on all counts.

His sentencing came hours after the judge sentenced developer Fred Daibes to seven years behind bars for bribery.

For now, Nadine Menendez hasn't been sentenced. She was charged alongside Bob, a Democrat, but her trial has been indefinitely delayed as she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Her trial was to start on March 18, 2025, after a previous delay. The judge stated there will be no further extensions.

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