Sen. Bob Menendez — who was found guilty earlier this month on all 16 counts in his corruption trial — said Tuesday he will resign from office effective Aug. 20, ending a 50-year career in politics that reached the heights of power on the world stage.

“While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work,” Menendez said in a letter processed in the Senate and obtained by POLITICO.