NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Former U.S. Senator and convicted felon Bob Menendez has been officially barred from ever holding office or a position of public trust in New Jersey.
Menendez was convicted in July 2024 of several criminal counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.
In January, Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for accepting bribes of gold and cash and acting as an agent of Egypt. He resigned in 2024 after becoming one of only a handful of U.S. senators ever convicted while in office. He was convicted of selling his clout for bribes worth a fortune.
FBI agents who searched his house found $480,000, some of it stuffed inside boots and pockets of clothing, and gold bars worth an estimated $150,000.
Prosecutors said that in exchange for the loot, which also included a luxury car, Menendez did corrupt favors for three New Jersey businessmen. They said he tried to protect associates from criminal investigations, helped two of them in business deals with foreign powers, and also met with Egyptian intelligence officials and took steps to help that country access millions of dollars in U.S. military aid.
The state obtained an order for his disqualification in the Superior Court.
According to the judge’s order, Menendez would face a fourth-degree contempt of court charge if he ever seeks election or public employment. His wife, Nadine, was also convicted for her role in the scheme and is awaiting sentencing.