Senator Robert Menendez, who was already indicted in September for allegedly accepting bribes, is now facing 18 additional counts, including obstruction of justice and conspiracy, according to an indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
“The Indictment alleges that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes from [Wael] Hana, [Fernando] Uribe, and [Fred] Daibes in exchange for Menendez’s agreement to use his official position to protect and enrich them and to benefit the Government of Egypt,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The new indictment also names two of the same business contacts who were involved in the initial charges. Investigators had previously found gold bars in the couple’s closet during a 2019 search of their home, which federal prosecutors allege were part of a bribe.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, are currently free on bail and have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial is set to begin on Monday, May 6.
“The additional charges are a clear indication of the seriousness of the allegations against Senator Menendez and his wife,” said a legal expert. “This case is shaping up to be one of the most significant political corruption trials in recent memory.”
