Part 2/11:
Bob Menendez, a son of Cuban immigrants raised in New Jersey, maintained a long and controversial career in the United States Senate. Despite his political influence, the authors describe Menendez as "the most corrupt senator in modern times." His downfall culminated in a conviction on July 16, 2024, on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, wire fraud, extortion under color of official right, and obstruction of justice.
Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison at the Allenwood penitentiary in Pennsylvania. The charges paint a damning picture of a politician deeply entangled with foreign interests and illegal activities, including accepting gold bars, nearly half a million dollars in cash hidden within his belongings, and illicit foreign influence operations.