While reporters waited outside the Manhattan courthouse waiting for word on ex-Sen. Bob Menendez and his co-conspirators' fate, across the river in New Jersey another sentencing took place with no fanfare that ended a chapter related to the bribery of the senator.

NEW YORK — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison for accepting bribes of gold and cash and acting as an agent of Egypt—crimes his lawyer said he’s been mocked for as “Gold Bar Bob.”

Mr. Menendez, a powerful longtime senator from New Jersey, was convicted last year on federal bribery and corruption charges.