Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison on corruption charges

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."
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.