WANA (Jan 30) – Former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, known for his hardline stance on Iran, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday after being convicted on corruption and bribery charges, including accepting cash, a Mercedes-Benz, and gold bars in exchange for aiding three businessmen and the Egyptian government.

 

According to CNN, Menendez’s conviction marks a stunning downfall for the senator, who was born into a Cuban immigrant family and started his political career in Union City, New Jersey. Over the years, he became one of the most powerful members of the Senate, even chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

 

Last year, Menendez was found guilty of 16 counts related to a long-running corruption scheme, making him the first U.S. senator to be convicted of acting as an agent of a foreign government.

 

During his sentencing, Menendez was reportedly in tears as he addressed the judge, saying, “The man before you has learned his lesson. Aside from my family, I have lost everything that mattered to me. For someone who dedicated his life to public service, waking up every day is itself a punishment.”

 

However, Menendez fiercely criticized the prosecutors behind his case outside the courtroom. While he did not explicitly request a pardon from former President Donald Trump, he urged the White House to intervene.

 

“This is a political process tainted by corruption at its core. I hope President Trump will clean up this mess and restore integrity to the system,” he stated.

 

Menendez was one of the most hawkish U.S. senators on Iran, strongly opposing the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), which he claimed strengthened the Islamic Republic rather than limiting it. He also repeatedly called for tougher U.S. policies against Tehran, advocated for severe sanctions, and was widely recognized as a staunch opponent of Iran.