"Ex-Senator Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years for Crypto Skepticism and Corruption"

Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a vocal critic of cryptocurrencies, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday for bribery and acting as an unregistered agent for Egypt. The sentence comes after Menendez was convicted on bribery charges last year.

Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, was known for his skepticism towards cryptocurrencies. He once described bitcoin (BTC) as an "ideal choice for criminals" and opposed El Salvador's decision to adopt BTC as legal tender.

During the sentencing, District Judge Sidney H. Stein criticized Menendez's actions, stating, "You were successful, powerful, you stood at the apex of our political system. Somewhere along the way, and I don’t know when it was, you lost your way and working for the public good became working for your good."

According to the Associated Press, Menendez accepted bribes in the form of gold and cash and used his political connections to act as an agent for Egypt. The former senator's actions highlight the importance of ethical conduct in public office and the consequences of corruption.