Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty of all charges in federal corruption trial, including acting as a foreign agent

Sen. Bob Menendez was found guilty on Tuesday of all charges in his corruption trial in federal court. Prosecutors accused the New Jersey Democrat of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, including cash, gold bars, and mortgages, to exert his political influence. In addition to Menendez, three New Jersey businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar were also charged as bribe recipients. Two co-defendants, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also found guilty of all counts. Although Menendez has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction of justice, he plans to appeal his conviction. He expressed disappointment with the jury's decision, maintaining his innocence and asserting his loyalty to the United States.

Federal prosecutors in New York have charged New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez with accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, including cash, gold bars and mortgages, in exchange for his political influence. The alleged recipients included three New Jersey businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar. Two co-defendants, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also found guilty on all counts.

The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for about 13 hours over three days.Menendez has maintained his innocence throughout, pleading not guilty to 16 federal charges, including bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent and obstruction of justice. He announced he would appeal the verdict and expressed deep disappointment with the jury's decision.

"I have never violated my oath," Menendez said outside the court on Tuesday. "I have always been a patriot of my country. I have never been a foreign agent."

The guilty verdicts have been followed by calls for Menendez to resign, including from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Menendez's new party.His Jersey counterparts, Sen. Cory Booker and Gov. Phil Murphy, are also not obligated to resign. Despite the conviction, Menendez does not have to resign immediately, but he will face expulsion from the Senate. The Senate Ethics Committee announced it will immediately complete its investigation into Menendez's conduct, which could lead to disciplinary action such as expulsion or reprimand.

Menendez is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29 and could face a lengthy prison sentence.

New Jersey businessmen and Menendez's wife have been implicated in the case. Prosecutors alleged that Menendez promised to wield his political influence to assist Egypt, as detailed in the indictment. The arrangement was reportedly facilitated by Wael Hana, a New Jersey businessman and a close associate of Menendez's wife, Nadine. Prosecutors claimed that Hana received help from the senator in maintaining a monopoly on halal meat.

Additionally, Menendez was accused of accepting a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for intervening in a case handled by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

According to prosecutors, in the spring of 2019, Jose Uribe, another New Jersey businessman who has pleaded guilty in the case, gave Nadine $15,000 in cash. Nadine used this money as a down payment for the car and texted Menendez, saying, "Congratulations. We are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes." Uribe allegedly continued to make the car's monthly payments as part of the arrangement. Continue  read more