New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez is facing corruption charges for the second time in a decade. Menendez and his wife are accused of accepting bribes, such as gold, cash, mortgage payments, a “low-or-no-show job,” and a luxury vehicle, in exchange for the senator’s influence. These charges follow a previous set of corruption charges faced by Menendez in the past.
As a result of these charges, Menendez will have to step aside as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, but he can still serve on the panel. In response to the indictment, Menendez criticized the prosecutors, calling it a smear campaign and stating that they have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office. He also defended his wife, who has been attacked by the prosecutors for her prior friendships.
To prepare for his legal defense, Menendez’s wife sold gold bars worth as much as $400,000. Meanwhile, searches conducted in 2022 at Menendez’s home and safe deposit box by federal agents revealed nearly $500,000 in cash, envelopes with Menendez’s name, a luxury vehicle paid for by an associate, home furnishings from other contacts, and gold bars. These findings further support the allegations against Menendez.
Menendez is charged with three alleged crimes, including being part of a bribery conspiracy. The other defendants, including his wife and three New Jersey associates and businessmen, will appear in court on Wednesday. Prosecutors claim that Menendez used his position as a US senator to benefit himself personally and to benefit Egypt. They provide evidence of his attempts to influence the appointment of a prosecutor and pressure the Department of Agriculture.
In the past, Menendez faced corruption charges in 2015, including conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud. However, the trial ended in a mistrial and a federal judge acquitted him of several charges in 2018. The remaining charges were ultimately dropped by the Justice Department. Menendez’s associate, Dr. Salomon Melgen, who provided the alleged bribes, was convicted on health care fraud charges but had his sentence commuted by former President Donald Trump in 2021.
Despite the legal battles, Menendez remains defiant. After the mistrial was announced in 2017, he issued a warning to those who sought to remove him from office, stating that he knows who they are and won’t forget them.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
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