The tables have turned for former U.S. Senator and crypto critic Bob Menendez, who once called Bitcoin the “ideal choice for criminals,” as he was sentenced to prison over ‘bribery charges’ on Wednesday.
NJ Democrat Bob Menendez Jailed Over Corruption Charges
Former Democrat Senator from New Jersey, Bob Menendez, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison by a federal court in New York City for corruption. Menendez, who has served as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the past, tearfully begged the court for “forgiveness” after being convicted of exchanging cash, gold bars, and even a Mercedes convertible in exchange for providing benefits to foreign governments and businessmen.
According to reports, Menendez’s lawyer, Adam Fee, argued for a lesser prison stint, saying the guilty verdict had already damaged Menendez’s reputation enough.
“Despite his record of service, he is now known more widely as ‘Gold bar Bob,” Fee said, arguing in favor of a lesser prison time.
Menendez was found to have done favors for Egypt and Qatar while middlemen bribed him and his wife, Nadine, with cash, gold bars, the luxury car, checks for a no-show job and payouts to a fake “consulting” firm.
The judge has commanded Menendez to report to federal prison by Jun 6, 2025.
Crypto Community Trolls ‘Hypocrite’ Bob Menendez
After the news surfaced, Bob Menendez became a target for heavy trolling from the crypto community. Gold bar Bob had been known for his anit-crypto stance, and even went on to call Bitcoin (BTC) as “the ideal choice for criminals”.
Crypto Community Trolls Bob Menendez on X
President Nayib Bukele, a staunch advocate of Bitcoin who established a Bitcoin reserve for El Salvador, wrote, “The thief judges by his condition,” highlighting the hypocrisy of the former senator. The senator had accused Bukele’s government of money laundering while facing a bribery case involving gold bullion.
Este senador fue el gran referente de la oposición (portadas, reportajes, etc.) cuando acusó a El Salvador de usar Bitcoin para el lavado de dinero y corrupción.
“El ladrón juzga por su condición”. https://t.co/R5El6BDY1p
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) January 30, 2025
Also Read: El Salvador Congress Approves Reforming Bitcoin Law After IMF Deal
