Lawyers for Bob Menendez press for lenient sentence

Attorneys representing former New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez petitioned a federal judge on Thursday to show mercy when sentencing the embattled politician, citing his advanced age of 71 and his long public service career. A Manhattan jury convicted Menendez in July of 16 federal charges in a foreign bribery scheme, including extortion, bribery, and wire fraud. He’s scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 29, and his team’s recent filing urged U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein to disregard the 12-year prison term recommended by the probation department.

What arguments were made for clemency? Sentencing a man of Menendez’s age and condition to 12 years in prison would essentially be a life term, the filing argued. The loss of his position and widespread public ridicule ensure that Menendez will never re-offend, the filing added. The former senator has already suffered more than a typical defendant because of his status and is now at risk of losing his federal pension, his attorneys said.

The filing alleged that the senator’s wife, Nadine, had a greater role in the scandal which should be considered during sentencing. The evidence clearly showed that Menendez had no idea his wife received and stored the gold bars and cash found in their New Jersey home, the document argued. Nadine was indicted alongside her husband and is scheduled to face trial in early February after pleading not guilty.

What sentence is Menendez’s team suggesting? The filing suggested instead a sentence no longer than 27 months, coupled with at least two years of rigorous community service.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Menendez’s guilty conviction.