Former Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for a corruption trial involving bribery and foreign influence. His co-defendants were also sentenced. Menendez proclaimed his innocence and called the prosecution a 'witch hunt.'
Key Points
Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison, harshest ever for a U.S. senator
Prosecutors requested 15-year sentence
Menendez proclaimed innocence and called it a 'witch hunt'
Co-defendants also sentenced for their involvement
Pros
Justice served for corruption in government
Accountability for abuse of power
Setting a precedent for holding high-ranking officials accountable
Cons
Loss of trust in elected officials
Negative impact on public perception of government