Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, along with Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, received prison sentences for their involvement in bribery, foreign agent activities, and obstruction of justice. The sentencing followed a nine-week jury trial that concluded in July 2024. Menendez was sentenced to 11 years, while Hana and Daibes were sentenced to over eight years and seven years respectively.
U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon stated: “The sentences imposed today result from an egregious abuse of power at the highest levels of the Legislative Branch of the federal government.” She added that Menendez used his position to benefit co-conspirators and a foreign government in exchange for bribes such as cash, gold, and a luxury car.
Menendez, who was then the senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was involved in accepting bribes between 2018 and 2022 alongside his now-wife Nadine Menendez. These bribes were offered by Hana, Daibes, and Jose Uribe. In return for these benefits, Menendez took official actions to aid Egyptian interests among others.
As part of this scheme, he provided sensitive non-public information to Egyptian officials without notifying relevant authorities or his professional staff. Additionally, he intervened in state-level investigations related to Uribe's associates.
Sassoon praised the FBI's investigative work on this case and thanked other departments for their assistance.
Uribe had previously pled guilty under a cooperation agreement with various charges including conspiracy to commit bribery and obstruction of justice. His sentencing is scheduled for April 24, 2025.
Charges are still pending against Nadine Menendez who is presumed innocent until her trial set for March 18, 2025.
The prosecution team from the Public Corruption Unit led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli J. Mark and others handled this high-profile case effectively with support from several paralegal specialists.