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XPost: sac.politics, nj.politics

A federal judge sentenced a tearful Bob Menendez to 11 years in prison Wednesday after the former U.S. senator was convicted of abusing the power
of his office in exchange for bribes in the form of gold bars, a luxury
car and other items.

"You stood at the apex of our political system," Judge Sidney Stein said
in issuing the sentence. "Somewhere along the way, you lost your way."

MORE: Former Sen. Bob Menendez denied new trial after conviction in
corruption case
Menendez, 71, was found guilty on all 16 counts last year in his federal corruption trial, becoming the first sitting member of Congress to be
convicted of acting as a foreign agent. His children, Alicia and Rob, were
in court to witness the sentencing.

"The fact that he was a public office holder who held a position of great public trust has to be taken into account," Stein said as he explained how
he calculated the sentence.

Stein said Menendez "became a corrupt politician" as he ticked off the
spoils of the corruption: the gold bars, the cash, the convertible.

"When there's wrongdoing of this magnitude there are serious
consequences," Stein said.

Ahead of the former senator's sentencing Wednesday afternoon, two New
Jersey businessmen convicted of paying bribes to Menendez received lengthy prison sentences. Wael Hana was sentenced to eight years in prison and
Fred Daibes to seven years.

Menendez calls prosecution a 'witch hunt'
Outside the court following his sentencing, a defiant Menendez called the prosecution a "political witch hunt."

"Regardless of the judge's comments, today, I am innocent, and I look
forward to filing appeals on a whole host of issues," Menendez said.

Menendez referred to the Southern District of New York, which prosecuted
the case, as the "Wild West of political prosecutions" while outlining grievances with the evidence and witnesses in the trial.

"President Trump is right -- this process is political and it's corrupted
to the core," Menendez said. "I hope President Trump cleans up the
cesspool and restores the integrity to the system."

Danielle Sassoon, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York,
said in a statement that Wednesday's sentences were the result of "an
egregious abuse of power" at the highest levels of the government's
legislative branch.

"Robert Menendez was trusted to represent the United States and the State
of New Jersey, but instead he used his position to help his co-
conspirators and a foreign government, in exchange for bribes like cash,
gold, and a luxury car," she said. "The sentences imposed today send a
clear message that attempts at any level of government to corrupt the
nation’s foreign policy and the rule of law will be met with just
punishment.”

Menendez says he's a 'chastened man'
Menendez sat at the defense table in a suit and tie with hands folded
across his stomach before he stood at his seat to address the judge ahead
of his sentencing.

"Your honor you have before you a chastened man," Menendez said as his
voice began to break. "We sat in this court room for nine weeks, but you
really don't know me."

The once-powerful Democrat introduced himself as the son of Cuban
immigrants and explained his political biography, occasionally sniffling
and choking up while reading from a prepared statement with hands stuffed
in his pockets.

Fuck him. Send his ass to GitMo.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/bob-menendez-sentencing-corruption- case/story?id=118186976

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