Former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks to reporters outside federal court in New York, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah, File)
In court papers last month, Menendez's lawyers revealed that he is expected to be housed at a facility in eastern Pennsylvania that has both a medium-security prison and a minimum-security prison camp. Given the white-collar nature of his crimes, it is likely he will end up in the camp, according to the Associated Press.
The prison, the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, is about 118 miles west of New York City. It is home to about 1,200 inmates, including ex-New York City organized crime boss James Coonan and former gas station owner Gurmeet Singh Dhinsa, whom the New York Post dubbed "Gas-Station Gotti" for his ruthless, violent ways.
Last week, a federal appeals court rejected Menendez's last-ditch effort to remain free on bail while he fights to get his bribery conviction overturned. A three-judge panel on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his bail motion.
Pleading for leniency, Menendez told a judge at his sentencing in January: "I am far from a perfect man. I have made more than my share of mistakes and bad decisions. I’ve done far more good than bad."
Menendez appeared to reference Republican President Donald Trump’s claims of a weaponized justice system when speaking to media after that hearing.
"This process is political, and it’s corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system," Menendez told reporters at the time.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., earned the nickname "Gold Bar Bob." (Getty Images/Department of Justice)
In a 2022 raid of Menendez's home, the FBI uncovered approximately $480,000 in cash and gold bars valued at about $150,000 hidden in clothing, shoes, bags and boxes in various locations. A luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible was also at the house.
Prosecutors pointed to payments allegedly made through a sham consulting firm and alleged that Menendez used his position to help Egypt secure $300 million in U.S. military aid, influence U.S. policy in Egypt and Qatar and prevent criminal probes into his associates, Wael Hana, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe. Uribe testified against his co-defendants.
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Menendez was convicted of counts including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and multiple conspiracy charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/menendez-report-prison-11-year-term-corruption