The Democratic senator from New Jersey was accused, among other things, of having received several hundred thousand dollars in gifts, including from Egyptian businessmen, in exchange for political favors.
In addition, the senator was charged with bribery, for obstructing the investigation, as well as acting as a foreign agent. 70-year-old Menendez has denied guilt throughout, but he was still convicted on all 18 charges in a New York court. He announced an appeal soon following the verdict was handed down.
The jury deliberated the case for twelve hours over three days before finding Menendez guilty. The trial lasted nine weeks. Sentencing is expected at a later date.
After he was indicted last September, Menendez resigned from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Several top Democrats have asked Menendez not to seek re-election, which he has rejected. He is therefore running as an independent candidate for the Senate elections in November.
Ask him to leave
The Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer, is now asking Menendez to resign as a senator.
– In light of this ruling, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate and our country, and step down, says Schumer.
Among other things, the indictment was regarding the fact that the senator helped Egypt get military support from the United States of many millions of dollars.
Stacks of dollar bills
It is the second time Menendez has been brought to trial. In 2017, he was not convicted of corruption as the jury might not reach an agreement.
The investigation that has led up to Tuesday’s verdict has been lengthy and extensive. The home of Menendez and his wife was searched by the FBI in June 2022, and there they found gold bars worth $150,000 and $480,000 in cash. Fat wads of dollar bills were found hidden in shoes, shoe boxes and jackets.
He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1992, and since 2006 he has been a senator.
#senator #guilty #corruption
2024-07-16 18:34:43
