Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez (D) could be looking at significant jail time following his conviction in July 2024 on corruption charges. 

As expected, U.S. prosecutors are seeking 15 years for Menendez, the publicly shamed former senator and head of the Hudson County Democratic party machine. 

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Robert Menendez, the disgraced former U.S. senator from New Jersey, should spend at least 15 years in prison following his corruption conviction, after he betrayed voters by putting his office “up for sale” in exchange for bribes, U.S. prosecutors said.

The recommendation was filed on Thursday night in Manhattan federal court, a week after Menendez’s lawyers pleaded for leniency, citing the 71-year-old’s age, decades of public service, charitable works, devotion to family, and financial and professional ruin.

Menendez offered his seat to rake in money and effectively served as an agent for a foreign government. 

The loot Menendez accepted included: 

gold, cash, a Mercedes-Benz and other rewards in exchange for political favors, including shepherding of military aid to Egypt and providing assistance to Qatar, as part of a bribery conspiracy.

Menendez's wife, Nadine Menendez, is trying to postpone her Feb. 5 trial on related charges, citing potential negative publicity from her husband's sentencing. 

Prosecutors also recommended hefty sentences for Bob Menendez's co-defendants, New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes. (Ten years for Hana, nine for Daibes.)

In their sentencing recommendation, prosecutors said Menendez is the first senator convicted for abusing a Senate committee leadership position, and the first person convicted of serving as a foreign agent while being a public official.

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This case marks the second time Menendez was involved in a federal probe. A federal grand jury in Miami investigated him for advocating for Dr. Salomon Melgen's business interests in 2013.

According to federal prosecutors, Menendez paid Melgen $59,000 for private flights to the Dominican Republic in 2010, raising concerns about Senate ethics rules. Melgen's company also donated over $950,000 to Menendez's 2012 campaign.

Melgen's home was raided, but he refused to cooperate with investigators.

On April 1, 2015, both Menendez and Melgen were indicted on charges including bribery, fraud, and false statements:

  - Menendez allegedly influenced Dominican government policy for Melgen's business interests in exchange for campaign contributions and personal favors.

  - He was accused of acting as Melgen's "personal senator," including helping with visas for Melgen's girlfriends.

  - Menendez received undisclosed gifts like private jet trips, luxury hotel stays, and golf outings.

Yet the trial ended up with a hung jury and prosecutors ended up dropping all charges against Menendez, although Menendez voluntarily stepped down as ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee.

This isn't the first time a member of Congress has been convicted of bribery and corruption.

• US Senator Harrison Williams (D-NJ)
• US Representative Frank Thompson (D-NJ)
• US Representative John Jenrette (D-SC)
• US Representative Raymond Lederer (D-PA) 
• US Representative Michael Myers (D-PA)
• US Representative John Murphy (D-NY)
• US Representative Richard Kelly (R-FL)

These men were caught in the Abscam debacle during the 80s, which inspired the movie "American Hustle." 

Initially, Senator Menedez was considering running even after his conviction, although, on March 21, 2024, he announced that he would not run in the Democratic primary due to his indictment on the federal corruption charges. He later filed to run as an independent. However, on July 23, he stepped down from the Senate.