From "gold bars" to jail bars: Unforgivable betrayals of Bob Menendez Not even there for this wife’s conviction

Bob Menendez, dubbed "Gold Bar Bob", the disgraced former US Senator from New Jersey, continues to sink lower with every new revelation. 

A man whose name became synonymous with corruption and bribery, Menendez now faces 11 years in prison following his own conviction for taking bribes — yet his actions, or lack thereof, throughout his wife Nadine Arslanian's trial only add to his shameful legacy, The New York Post writes.

Despite claiming he wanted to “assist” in his wife’s defence, Menendez was a no-show for her trial, which ended with her guilty conviction on all 15 federal bribery and conspiracy charges. The month-long trial proceeded without the presence of the man who once claimed to be her biggest supporter. Not once was he spotted in the courtroom, even though he had previously won a delay in his own prison sentence under the pretext of helping with her legal battle.

But Menendez’s lack of loyalty was apparent from the start. During his own trial, he even blamed Nadine for the corruption charges, a move that proved he couldn’t be bothered to stand by her, even in the face of joint accusations. Prosecutor Lara Pomerantz described the couple as “partners in crime, partners in corruption, and partners in greed,” yet Menendez seemed far more interested in saving his own skin than supporting his wife.

Nadine now faces her own sentencing, scheduled for June 12, just six days after Bob reports to prison. But for the former senator, those extra days of freedom should be considered a mistake. 

The sooner justice is served and Menendez is incarcerated, the sooner his disgraceful career will be over. It’s clear that the convicted bribe-taker, who betrayed his constituents’ trust and used his power for personal gain, belongs behind bars, where he can no longer harm anyone else.

By Tamilla Hasanova