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
Ex-Senator Bob Menendez Gets 11 Years for Bribery Involving Gold Bars, Acting as Foreign Agent
On January 29, 2025, former US Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his conviction on 16 counts of bribery, corruption, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. Menendez, 71, was found guilty in 2024 of accepting cash bribes, gold bars, a luxury car, and other items in exchange for political favors benefiting Egypt and New Jersey businessmen. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence, arguing that Menendez operated one of the most brazen corruption schemes in U.S. history and nicknaming him 'Gold Bar Bob.' Co-defendants Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, both New Jersey businessmen, were also sentenced earlier that day to seven and eight years in prison, respectively. Menendez, who wept and pleaded for leniency during the sentencing, is the first U.S. senator ever convicted of acting as a foreign agent.