Distinguished law professor Jonathan Turley says New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
Menendez was found guilty on all counts in a corruption trial on Tuesday, denying accusations that he accepted bribes in gold and cash from three New Jersey businessmen and acted as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt.
Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, now predicts Menendez faces a “heavy” prison sentence that he may not even survive.
He wrote on the X platform:
The conviction of Washington Senator Menendez was landmark. He is one of the untouchables. Although Menéndez has long been viewed as corrupt, he wields power with impunity for his own benefit.
The problem is the defense theory. Menéndez tried to convince the jury that this was “a Cuban thing.” They apparently viewed it as a “corrupt act”.
The image of gold bars and cash stuffed into clothes is difficult to overcome with cultural assertions. The conviction, however, is an indictment of the Washington establishment. Menéndez has always been viewed as a corrupt figure, but he was nevertheless given a powerful position and used for corrupt purposes.
Sentencing is likely to be harsh. He will face even more severe consequences as someone who betrays the office of public trust. He has little to offer in terms of mitigation. While the counts will run concurrently, he could face a lengthy prison sentence. At his age, a long prison sentence could be a death sentence.
The conviction of Washington Senator Menendez was landmark. He is one of the untouchables. Although Menéndez has long been viewed as corrupt, he wields power with impunity for his own benefit…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) July 16, 2024
Despite being convicted on all charges, Menéndez has so far refused to resign from the Senate and even registered as an independent candidate in the November election.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Schumer called on him to resign immediately. “In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do the right thing for his constituents, the Senate, and our country and resign,” he wrote on the X platform.
In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do the right thing for his constituents, the Senate, and our country and resign.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 16, 2024
This couldn’t have happened to a nicer man.
