Bob Menendez, the once-prominent U.S. Senator from New Jersey, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for bribery and other corruption activities, as reported by the Associated Press.
His actions, which included taking bribes and serving the interests of Egypt, have now led to a significant fall from grace.
Menendez’s Stance on Cryptocurrency
Known for his outspoken views against cryptocurrency, Menendez has frequently criticized Bitcoin, labeling it as a “prime option for criminals.” His strong opposition extended to El Salvador’s bold move to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, a decision he condemned vigorously.
Details of the Sentencing
District Judge Sidney H. Stein, during the sentencing, expressed regret over Menendez’s choices.
He highlighted the stark contrast between Menendez’s previous role as a powerful public figure and his current predicament, emphasizing how the senator had shifted his focus from public service to personal gain.
Reactions to the Verdict
In an ironic twist, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele took to X, the social media platform, to comment on Menendez’s conviction.
He pointed out that the former senator had been a staunch critic of El Salvador, alleging corruption and money laundering tied to Bitcoin.
Bukele’s comments suggested that these criticisms were perhaps projections of Menendez’s own misdeeds.
Menendez had been found guilty last year of accepting bribes in various forms, including cash and gold, leveraging his political power to benefit himself at the expense of his constituents.
This sentencing marks a notable chapter in the life of a politician who had made headlines for his fierce opposition to cryptocurrency.
Update (Jan. 30, 1:16 PM UTC): Reactions from Bukele regarding Menendez’s sentencing have been added.
Source: Coindesk
