Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is seeking a delay in his prison sentence after being convicted of bribery charges. According to the New York Post, Menendez’s legal team has asked Judge Stanley Stein to allow him to remain free during his appeal, describing him as a “septuagenarian who devoted half a century to public service.” They argue that he shouldn’t be forced to wait out his appeal in prison.
Menendez resigned from the Senate in August following his conviction for accepting gold bars and other gifts from foreign governments like Egypt and Qatar. Although he initially remained defiant, announcing his intention to run for re-election, he eventually dropped out of the race and resigned. His sentencing is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Prosecutors are seeking at least 15 years in prison, while Menendez’s lawyers are pushing for no more than two years. They argue that Menendez has already suffered enough due to the public disgrace. The prosecution, however, insists that a harsher sentence is warranted to match his “naked greed” and the “hoard of bribes” he accumulated.
Menendez made history as the first member of Congress convicted of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent. After his resignation, Congressman Andy Kim (D-N.J.) was elected to take his place in the Senate.
