Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were indicted by a grand jury on federal bribery charges stemming from their relationship with three businessmen, according to court filings, including possible dealings with an admitted felon and the authoritarian regime of Egypt. Here’s the latest in the case
NJ Sen. Bob Menendez says he won't resign as calls grow for him to step down amid indictment
While it's not immediately clear what the 69-year-old is expected to say, Menendez has adopted the same defiant stance he took when he faced federal accusations nearly a decade ago. Unlike his first federal corruption trial, though, New Jersey's Democratic establishment support for Menendez has eroded in the days since the charges were announced. Gov. Phil Murphy, the leaders of the Democrat-led Legislature and the state party chairman were among those who have called for his resignation.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams spoke Friday about federal bribery charges filed against New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, alleging the senator accepted lavish gifts from three businessmen.The senator and his wife Nadine are facing three counts: Conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.
Investigators with the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation were looking into whether Menendez offered to contact the Justice Department to try to help Daibes, a New Jersey developer and one-time bank chairman — as well as longtime friend of the senator. Prosecutors said that in exchange for cash payments and gifts, Daibes asked Menendez to interfere with the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Phil Selinger. The alleged goal was for federal prosecutors to go easy on Daibes.
The issue of whether Menendez improperly accepted gold bars is just one part of the investigation. Investigators were also probing his connections and possible gifts he received from a halal meat company that later won an exclusive government contract in Egypt. Investigators sought to know if Menendez used his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which oversees billions in aid to Egypt, to help that New Jersey firm get the contract in exchange for gifts.
Within weeks of their engagement, she incorporated a business, Strategic International Business Consultants LLC, according to state records. Her foreclosure case was dismissed soon after. The following year, her assets included gold bars valued between $100,000 to $250,000, according to a Senate disclosure form amended by Menendez in March of 2022.
David Schertler, a lawyer for Menendez’s wife, said his client"denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.” There was no answer at the couple's Englewood Cliffs home.A spokesperson for Hana said the charges"have absolutely no merit." A spokesperson for IS EG Halal has issued a denial of ever giving the senator any gifts and said they won the Egyptian contact on their merits.
The 2018 contest was noteworthy because it came just after the 2017 mistrial and the Republican Party had poured millions into defeating him. He prevailed, breaking a Republican lock on power in Washington at the time, and hasn't hinted at retirement since.
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