The sentencing for former Senator Bob Menendez, which had originally been set for October 29, has been rescheduled for January 29, 2025, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein announced in a brief order today.
Menendez, who spent more than 30 years representing New Jersey as a Democrat in the U.S. House and Senate, was convicted on July 16 in a wide-ranging corruption case. Federal prosecutors alleged that Menendez had traded his influence in Washington in exchange for gifts and bribes from three New Jersey businessmen, some of whom were connected to foreign governments; the jury agreed, finding Menendez guilty on all 16 counts.
At the time, Menendez was still a member of the Senate, and also was a declared independent candidate for re-election to his Senate seat. That made the original October 29 sentencing date – just one week before an election in which he was set to be on the ballot – especially notable.
But Menendez has since resigned his seat and ended his re-election campaign, reducing the political implications of whatever his sentence may be. Appointed Senator George Helmy is currently filling Menendez’s Senate seat on an interim basis, and Democratic Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) and Republican developer Curtis Bashaw are battling it out for the right to succeed Helmy for a full six-year term.
The sentencing date for two of Menendez’s co-defendants, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana – two of the businessmen who were convicted of bribing the senator – has also been rescheduled to January 29. None of the three will be able to appeal the verdict, which Menendez has pledged to do, until their sentences are handed out.
Menendez’s wife, Nadine, was also charged in the case, but her trial has been delayed indefinitely due to her breast cancer diagnosis.