Former Senator Bob Menendez, once representing New Jersey as a Democrat, has been permanently banned from public office within the state. This decision follows his conviction for accepting substantial bribes in the form of cash and gold bars, as announced by the New Jersey Attorney General.

In January, Menendez received an 11-year prison sentence and now faces a lifetime prohibition from holding any position of public trust in New Jersey, as decreed by Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy.

In July 2024, Menendez was found guilty of 16 charges, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. His conviction marks a historical first, as he became the only U.S. senator convicted of acting as a foreign agent, and his sentence represents the most severe punishment ever delivered to a senator.

Standing before reporters outside a federal court in New York on January 29, 2025, Menendez reflected on his 11-year sentence for accepting bribes totaling hundreds of thousands in gold and cash. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah, File)

“To maintain the public’s confidence in government, it is essential that officials who abuse their positions face lasting repercussions,” stated New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin. “Many in New Jersey harbor the belief that corruption is a pervasive part of our politics. We aim to dispel this notion by making it clear that such behavior is intolerable and will have serious consequences.”

Menendez, the former chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, will face a fourth-degree contempt-of-court charge if he ever applies for public office or public employment.

Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, arrive at the federal courthouse in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.  (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)

According to federal prosecutors, Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted bribes between 2018 and 2022. Along with gold bars and cash, they also received a luxury convertible car, home furnishings and other items of value, the state attorney general’s office said. She was also accused of receiving paychecks for a job that did not exist.

In exchange, the senator agreed to use his power and influence on Capitol Hill to protect the bribe payers’ interests and to benefit foreign countries, including by taking a series of official acts to benefit the government of Egypt.

The indictment against Menendez came after co-defendant Jose Uribe — who allegedly gifted Nadine a Mercedes convertible — accepted a plea deal and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. 

Former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrives at the Manhattan federal courthouse on Oct. 23, 2023, in New York City.  (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Menendez had pleaded his innocence and claimed the process was political and “corrupted to the core.”

“I hope President [Donald] Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system,” Menendez told reporters at his sentencing.