Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability announced that former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez can no longer hold any public office or position of public trust in New Jersey. Their statement detailed a court decision that ends Menendez’s ability to participate in state or local government.
Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy issued the order. He permanently disqualifies Menendez from seeking or holding office at any level in New Jersey. The ruling also warns that Menendez will face a fourth-degree contempt-of-court charge if he campaigns, applies, or attempts to run in the future. This decision locks his eligibility permanently, with no process to restore it even after he completes his sentence.
Menendez spent nearly two decades in the United States Senate and led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his tenure. He built influence in foreign policy and national security decisions while representing New Jersey. His career collapsed after a nine-week federal trial. On July 16, 2024, a jury in the Southern District of New York found Menendez guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice. A federal judge sentenced him to 11 years in prison in January 2025.
Federal prosecutors said Menendez and his wife Nadine accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes between 2018 and 2022. Investigators reported that the couple took gold bars, cash, home furnishings, a luxury convertible, and other valuable items. Prosecutors concluded that Menendez then used his role as a senator to benefit the individuals who paid him. They also said he took steps that helped foreign governments, including actions that supported Egypt. Their case argued that Menendez repeatedly traded influence for personal gain.
Platkin said the ruling aims to protect public trust and prevent officials who abuse power from returning to political office. He explained that many New Jersey residents believe corruption sits at the center of politics, and he said this decision shows that the state responds firmly when leaders misuse authority. Platkin emphasized that accountability strengthens confidence in government and sets a clear expectation for ethical conduct.
Deputy Attorney General Adam Klein obtained the disqualification order while working under the supervision of Corruption Bureau Director Jeffrey J. Manis and OPIA Executive Director Eric L. Gibson.
Menendez remains in federal custody. The ruling leaves him with no legal path back into New Jersey public service. Any attempt to seek a government position could place him in new criminal jeopardy. The decision finalizes the state’s response to his corruption case and closes the chapter on his ability to participate in New Jersey politics. This outcome strips him of future governmental influence and reinforces the consequences of his federal conviction.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.