A judge sentenced an emotional former Sen. Bob Menendez to 11 years in prison Wednesday for a years-long bribery and corruption scheme that saw him rewarded with gold bars and stacks of cash.
Menendez had pleaded with U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein for mercy, twice breaking down in tears.
“I have lost everything,” the New Jersey Democrat said, after recounting actions he said he had taken to help others while in the Senate, a job he was forced to resign after his conviction.
“For a man who spent his entire life in public service, every day I am awake is a punishment,” said Menendez, who was chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time he took the payoffs.
The judge appeared unmoved, and noted that while he had done some positive work, the evidence against him was "overwhelming" and he had failed the voters of New Jersey.
"Somewhere along the way you became, I'm sorry to say, a corrupt politician," Stein told him before handing down his sentence.
Crocodile tears..fuck him..excuse my language but he brings shame to the Democratic party at a time where we can't focus solely on Trump's corruption because our own house is not in order
Senator Menendez was a thorn in President Obama’s side from the moment he entered the White House. Obama had campaigned on the need for a new approach to Cuba, but Menendez was having none of it. Before the election, he warned Obama, “If you want my support, I don’t want you making any policy changes on Cuba without consulting me.”
Former NJ Senator Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
I'm grateful to see my father's home state represented now by Senator Andy Kim, a substantial improvement over Menendez.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/former-sen-bob-menendez-sentenced-gold-bar-bribery-case-rcna189044
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A judge sentenced an emotional former Sen. Bob Menendez to 11 years in prison Wednesday for a years-long bribery and corruption scheme that saw him rewarded with gold bars and stacks of cash.
Menendez had pleaded with U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein for mercy, twice breaking down in tears.
“I have lost everything,” the New Jersey Democrat said, after recounting actions he said he had taken to help others while in the Senate, a job he was forced to resign after his conviction.
“For a man who spent his entire life in public service, every day I am awake is a punishment,” said Menendez, who was chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time he took the payoffs.
The judge appeared unmoved, and noted that while he had done some positive work, the evidence against him was "overwhelming" and he had failed the voters of New Jersey.
"Somewhere along the way you became, I'm sorry to say, a corrupt politician," Stein told him before handing down his sentence.
Crocodile tears..fuck him..excuse my language but he brings shame to the Democratic party at a time where we can't focus solely on Trump's corruption because our own house is not in order
I might add that I've never considered Adams a Democratic candidate where as clearly Menendez is and always has been
That's fair, though his policy on Cuba was certainly not good.
After I read your comment, I took a look at this piece by the Nation.
Menendez was even a dick to President Obama on his policy towards Cuba.
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/cuba-harris-menendez-corruption-diplomacy/
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Senator Menendez was a thorn in President Obama’s side from the moment he entered the White House. Obama had campaigned on the need for a new approach to Cuba, but Menendez was having none of it. Before the election, he warned Obama, “If you want my support, I don’t want you making any policy changes on Cuba without consulting me.”