The once-powerful Democratic Senator from New Jersey, Bob Menendez, who was convicted on corruption charges, should spend 15 years in prison, U.S. prosecutors said, according to Bloomberg.

Menendez was convicted in July for bribery, extortion, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt following a jury trial. Evidence included 13 gold bars, nearly $500,000 in cash, and a Mercedes-Benz, all of which were seized from his home.

The lawyers for the philhellene senator have argued that Menendez was led astray by his wife, Nadine. Referencing his political career at length, the two lawyers stated before the trial that his greatest failing was being influenced by a duplicitous wife, according to the New York Times.

Nadine Menendez was charged alongside her husband with conspiracy to trade his political influence for bribes.

Menendez’s daughter, Alicia, a host on the MSNBC cable news network, wrote a letter of support in which she hinted at the sacrifices her father continued to make for his wife, who was battling breast cancer.

In total, over 120 letters were submitted on behalf of Bob Menendez, aiming for a significantly lighter sentence than the 12 years recommended by the court’s probation department. His lawyers argue that a 12-year sentence would be “draconian – effectively a life sentence and a death sentence for someone of Bob’s age and condition.”

They insist that his prison term should not exceed 27 months, which they already consider excessive. Furthermore, they called on the judge to impose a shorter sentence combined with community service.