Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has appeared in federal court in New York to face charges of bribery conspiracy. The charges allege that Menendez accepted bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and a luxury car, and used his political power to pass sensitive information to the Egyptian government. Menendez’s wife, Nadine, also faces charges in the case, as do two other co-defendants. Over 20 Democratic senators, including Menendez’s fellow New Jersey senator Cory Booker, have called for Menendez’s resignation, but he maintains his innocence and insists that he will be exonerated when all the facts are presented.
The indictment accuses Menendez of using his influence as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to arrange meetings between Egyptian officials and himself and his wife. It alleges that the couple promised to use Menendez’s position to facilitate military sales and aid to Egypt in exchange for a job for Nadine. The indictment also claims that Menendez passed sensitive information to Egyptian officials, helped draft a letter requesting US aid, and approved military sales to Egypt. Additionally, Menendez faces accusations of pressuring a New Jersey prosecutor investigating businessmen connected to one of his co-defendants by accepting a luxury car for his wife.
In 2015, Menendez faced corruption and bribery charges unrelated to the current allegations, but the case ended in a mistrial and Menendez was acquitted on some counts. The Justice Department declined to retry him on the remaining charges. However, his recent indictment has led to renewed calls for his resignation. Menendez, who is up for reelection next year, has stepped down from his position as Foreign Relations Committee chairman. Despite the pressure, Menendez maintains his innocence and insists that he will be vindicated.