The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York revealed in court documents that these bribes were accepted in the form of gold bars, cash, and even a luxury convertible.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams explained the charges in September 2023, “As the grand jury charged, between 2018 and 2022, Senator Menendez and his wife engaged in a corrupt relationship with Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes – three New Jersey businessmen who collectively paid hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes, including cash, gold, a Mercedes Benz, and other things of value – in exchange for Senator Menendez agreeing to use his power and influence to protect and enrich those businessmen and to benefit the Government of Egypt. My Office is firmly committed to rooting out corruption, without fear or favor, and without any regard to partisan politics. We will continue to do so.”
As reported by Just The News, Menendez, 70, pleaded not guilty and refused to testify before the court. The allegations against both Menendez and his wife Nadine used his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to act in the interests of the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
The evidence against the couple was found during a raid of the Senator's New Jersey home in 2022, with gold bars and cash found "stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe," per the Department of Justice.
“This wasn’t politics as usual,” Williams told reporters Tuesday according to The New York Post. “This was politics for profit." The Post reported that the verdict was delivered after 12 1/2 hours of deliberation spread over a three day period.
Evidence photos at the trial revealed 13 gold bars worth a total of $150,000 that were found in the Menendez's bedroom and a total of $486,471 in cash stored all over the house, including $14,500 found inside a pair of work boots. Adding to the sensation of the case, Sen. Menendez's official U.S. Senate jacket held cash-filled envelopes.
Following the conviction, Menendez told reporters, "I’m deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision. I have every faith that the law and the facts are not sustained with that decision, and that we will be successful upon appeal." He added, "I have never violated my public oath."
🚨BREAKING: New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez found guilty all counts in bribery trial pic.twitter.com/Ck5ZkUOV00
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 16, 2024
The outlet reported that the 70-year-old is facing up to 20 years in prison, effectively a life sentence. He is due for sentencing on October 29th.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called upon Menendez to resign within moments of the verdict, saying in a brief statement published by Politico, "In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign."
In the state of New Jersey, Senate vacancies are filled by the sitting Governor, leaving little doubt that Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint another Democrat to serve until the next statewide election in 2025 if Menendez steps down. The Senator is up for re-election in 2024 and is polling ahead of Republican Bob Hugin per Real Clear Polling.
Gov. Murphy joined in calls for Menendez to resign saying "I reiterate my call for Senator Menendez to resign immediately after being found guilty of endangering national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system," according to ABC News. He added, "If he refuses to vacate his office, I call on the U.S. Senate to vote to expel him. In the event of a vacancy, I will exercise my duty to make a temporary appointment to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve."
Comments