NEW YORK - Disgraced 71-year-old former New Jersey senator wept Wednesday (Jan. 29) while being read his 11-year prison sentence following a guilty verdict for corruption charges filed against him before a federal court.

A three-term senator, Robert “Bob” Menendez has been found guilty of accepting bribes that included gold bars, a luxury car and several other lavish gifts, from three New Jersey businessmen to hep them secure huge business deals with officials from Egypt and Qatar.

Then chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez in the early 2020’s reportedly used his political influence to negotiate favors for his “clients” .

Bribes reportedly included lavish gifts that included $100,000 worth of gold bars, a Mercedez-Benz convertible and jewelry for him and his wife, Nadine Menendez.

Co-defendants, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes were tagged as the briber, including businessman Jose Uribe who took a plea deal.

Also found guilty of corruption, Hana will serve eight years in prison while Daibes, seven years.

Nadine’s trial is set on March 6, with her husband expected to be with her because his prison term will be carried out only by June.

During the sentencing Federal District Judge Sidney Stein told the former senator: “You were successful, powerful, you stood at the apex of our political system. Somewhere along the way, and I don’t now when it was, you lost your way and working for the public good became working for your good.”

Teary-eyed, Menendez begged the court to consider his long service as senator and in other capacities.

“Your honor, 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. I ask your honor, to judge me in that context,” he appealed.

According to Stein this has been taken into consideration.

“The fact that he was a public office holder who held a position of great public trust has been taken into account,” he said.

The judge added: “When there’s wrongdoing of this magnitude, there are serious consequences.”

Later Menendez told the media that he would pursue an appeal, claiming that his prosecution was a “political with hunt.”

“Regardless of the judge’s comments today, I am innocent and I look forward to filing appeals on a whole host of issues,” he stated.