Former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in federal bribery and corruption case

Former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday afternoon in a Lower Manhattan court.

Menendez, 71, was convicted last July on 16 counts of bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.

RELATED: Sen. Bob Menendez Convicted In Bribery Trial; New Jersey Democrat Found Guilty Of Accepting Gold Bars, Cash

Prosecutors had been calling for Menendez to serve 15 years, citing "the seriousness of the defendant's crimes, the immeasurable harm they have caused to the public trust, and the need to deter others from engaging in such egregious abuses of power."

The defense had said Menendez should've received less than two years in prison, saying their client suffered financial and professional ruin and deserved mercy because of his age.

U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein sided more with the government.

"Somewhere along the way, you became, I'm sorry to say, a corrupt politician," Stein said.

Prior to learning his fate, sources close to the former three-term Democratic senator told CBS News New York he had been praying a lot and spending time with his son, daughter, and grandchildren. When he addressed the judge during sentencing, Menendez got emotional, saying the trial ripped apart his work and what he stands for, and harmed his family and the community he represented.

"Your honor, you have before you a chastened man. You really don't know the man you are about to sentence. I have lost everything I have ever cared for," Menendez said, adding every day that he's awake is "a punch." 

Menendez spoke of his upbringing, how he was the first in his family to go to college and law school, and listed several things he did for members of the community. He said of the things disclosed about him at trial, "None of it gets close to who I am."

"I have dedicated my entire life to the service of others," he added. "I am far from a perfect man, but I believe in my half-century of public service, I have done more good than bad."

Menendez, who has vowed to appeal, must surrender to authorities on June 6.

Fordham University law professor Cheryl Bader called it a "significant sentence for a very significant crime," adding, "I think the judge was very disturbed by how Sen. Menendez wielded this great power, particularly on the Foreign Relations Committee. The judge was disturbed that [Menendez] would compromise his interests and literally line his pockets and his boots with cash and gold bars, and I think the judge found it particularly egregious that he used the power to further the aims of a foreign country above U.S. foreign policy."

Menendez leaves court, blasts federal prosecutors

After leaving the courthouse, Menendez, who has consistently proclaimed his innocence, made a statement to reporters in which he charged the prosecution with ignoring numerous crimes committed by its star witness. He also echoed many of President Donald Trump's words about the Southern District of New York.

"This whole process has been nothing but a political witch hunt by the Justice Department's prosecutors ... [who] are more interested in political scalps and preparing to run for public office, like Damian Williams," Menendez said. "Welcome to the Southern District of New York, the Wild West of political prosecutions. President Trump is right. This process is political and it's corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system."

Some have questioned whether Menendez would seek a pardon from Mr. Trump, and if the president, who has called the former senator "Gold Bar Bob," would even offer one.

However, based on his statement to reporters on Wednesday, Menendez could be angling for a pardon as a last resort.

Menendez acted as foreign agent for Egypt, prosecutors say

Federal prosecutors say Menendez acted as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt and abused his powerful post on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He was convicted of taking bribes in the form of gold bars, a luxury car, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for his influence.

Menendez repeatedly denied violating his public oath, and his lawyers tried to have his conviction thrown out and his sentencing delayed, but a federal judge denied both requests.

Menendez resigned from his Senate seat last August. It was filled by Andy Kim.  

Co-defendant Daibes gets 7 years, Hana gets 8+

On Wednesday morning, co-defendant Fred Daibes, 67, was given a seven-year term and fined $1.75 million. Daibes cried as he asked for mercy from the judge, not for himself but for his 30-year-old son with autism, who he cares for. The judge said he understands Daibes rose from poverty and is known for helping others, but told him, "There's a dark edge to what you have done."

The government was asking for nine years, but the judge granted a variance because of Daibes' good deeds and age.

Co-defendant Wael Hana, who professed his innocence, received eight years and one month in prison and a $1.25 million fine. The judge called the evidence against him, "very, very substantial."

Prosecutors were seeking 10 years.

Daibes and Hana are required to turn themselves into authorities on April 4.