Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for bribery, fraud, and acting as a foreign agent after being convicted on 16 felony counts. He plans to appeal.

Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted on multiple felony charges, including bribery and acting as an agent for a foreign country.

Menendez, a Democratic senator who served in the U.S. Senate for more than 18 years before resigning following his indictment in August, was found guilty on all 16 felony counts by a federal jury in late 2024.

The 71-year-old was convicted of bribery and fraud for accepting money, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for political favors benefiting Egypt and a New Jersey businessman. Additionally, he was found guilty of acting as an agent for a foreign country, marking the first time a U.S. senator had been convicted of such an offense.

Prosecutors accused Menendez of using his position to provide military aid and assistance to Egypt and Qatar, as well as attempting to interfere in local prosecutions to protect his allies in exchange for bribes. They had sought a 15-year prison sentence for him.

"Menendez, who swore an oath to represent the United States and the State of New Jersey, instead put his high office up for sale in exchange for this hoard of bribes," prosecutors stated in a January 9 court filing.

However, during a sentencing hearing at a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein handed down an 11-year prison term.

Menendez has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty and vowing to appeal the conviction. His lawyers argued that, given his age, history of public service, and charitable contributions, his sentence should not exceed eight years.