Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife Nadine are currently under investigation on bribery allegations after his previous case ended in a mistrial.
The Department of Justice dropped this news following a lengthy investigation conducted by US Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York.
Menendez, who presently chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is accused of a number of offenses, including conspiracy to bribe public officials, extortion under color of official authority, and fraud using honest services.
The DOJ announced, “A press event will be held today at 11 am to announce the unsealing of an indictment charging Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, and his wife, Nadine Menendez, with bribery offenses in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen.”
Based on the indictment, Menendez had illicit dealings with New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes, who reportedly gave him bribes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. These bribes, as the DOJ claimed, were given to advance Egyptian interests and safeguard the businessmen.
The investigation revealed that these bribes included money, gold, house payments, income for questionable jobs, a fancy car, and other valuables. Authorities even found over $480,000 in cash in Menendez’s home, much of it concealed in clothing and envelopes. They were able to trace the money back to the businessmen involved.
The complaint included images of gold bars and $100 bills hidden inside garments.
Menendez is accused of authoring a letter to fellow senators pleading with them to support the release of $300 million in military aid to Egypt, which is another charge added to the bribery allegations. It is claimed that he wrote this letter with the assistance of his wife and other business partners.
The accusation also details Menendez’s relationship with IS EG Halal, a company that the prosecution claims was utilized as a conduit for bribe money. Even the Mercedes-Benz that Nadine drove is said to have been purchased by a businessman.
Menendez has had to deal with scandal before while serving in the Senate.
He was charged with bribery in 2015 for allegedly accepting pricey flights, lavish vacations, golf trips, and campaign donations from Florida doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for political favors.
Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey and other state Democratic officials have called for his resignation in response to the revelation of his most recent conviction, which has generated controversy in both Democrat and Republican circles.
Murphy claims that the “alleged facts” presented to Menendez are serious and “compromise” his capacity to carry out his duties as a senator.
