US Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been found guilty of accepting bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. The conviction was handed down on Tuesday at a federal courthouse in New York City, following a nine-week trial.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Menendez abused his power to protect allies and enrich associates, including his wife, through various acts, such as meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and securing millions of dollars in U.S. military aid for Egypt. The senator maintained that he was simply doing his job as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The jury’s verdict comes four months before Election Day, potentially ending Menendez’s hopes of running for reelection as an independent candidate. Menendez, 70, faces charges alongside two New Jersey businessmen, who also pleaded not guilty. Another businessman pleaded guilty before trial and testified against Menendez and the other defendants.
The investigation uncovered gold bars worth nearly $150,000 and over $480,000 in cash, some hidden in boots and jackets with the senator’s name, during a raid on Menendez’s New Jersey home. Menendez’s wife, Nadine, was also charged, but her trial has been postponed due to her recovery from breast cancer surgery.
Menendez’s conviction marks a significant fall from grace for the longtime senator, who had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. His lawyers argued that his actions were simply those of a public official carrying out his duties, but prosecutors presented evidence of a quid pro quo arrangement with the businessmen. The senator’s future is now uncertain, as he faces the possibility of imprisonment and the end of his political career.
Governor Murphy has issued a statement calling on Menendez to resign:
“Today’s verdict finding Senator Bob Menendez guilty on 16 counts demonstrates that the Senator broke the law, violated the trust of his constituents, and betrayed his oath of office. It also shows that in America, everyone – no matter how powerful – is accountable to our laws.
“Senator Menendez received a fair trial and due process of law as he was entitled to under our Constitution. I want to thank all the public servants who play crucial roles in our criminal justice system, including our law enforcement officials, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors, and judges. Their hard work ensured that these brazen crimes were proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and our nation is grateful for their service.
“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. 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.”