Menendez, a long-term Democratic MP from New Jersey, was sentenced to 16 counts related to the charges for receiving bribes, including gold levers and cash, in exchange for political services.
In the tearful 12-minute speech before the verdict in the Federal Courtroom in New York, Menendez recognized the mistakes of the past, but defended his public service, several American media that were present at the hearing.
“I’ve done much more good than bad,” he said.
The Federal Jury in New York in July declared Menendeza guilty to receive hundreds of thousands of bribes and action as an unregistered foreign agent.
Prosecutors stated that Menendez received a bribe of three businessmen from New Jersey, Fred Daibes, Waela Hane and Jose Uribe, including golden levers, mortgage payments, luxury car and more than $ 480,000. In exchange for this, he allegedly protected individuals from criminal prosecution and used his office for the well-being of the Egyptian and Qatar Government.
Menendez resigned from the president of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, and was also known for the sale of the SIA’s weapons, NATO, due to its obvious ties with Greece and Armenian lobbies in the United States u.
(Vijesti.ba)
