New Jersey senator found guilty on all counts of widespread corruption, bribery and foreign influence scheme
Longtime Democratic Senator. Bob Menendez was found guilty of corruption and bribery by a New York court.
On Tuesday, the New Jersey Democrat was convicted of all charges related to widespread bribery and an improper foreign aid program brought by prosecutors over three indictments.
In September, Menendez was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion. Prosecutors alleged that the incumbent senator and his wife, Nadine, “agreed and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using Menendez's power and influence as a senator to seek protection and enrichment,” three businessmen: Wael Hana, Jose. Uribe and Fred Diebes. Among the bribes the Menendezs accepted were envelopes of cash, solid gold bars and luxury vehicles.
In October, prosecutors filed additional charges, alleging that Menendez o “provided sensitive U.S. government information and took other steps that covertly assisted the government of Egypt” and acted as a foreign agent. Earlier this year, a third indictment accused the senator of using his elected office to illegally benefit the Qatari government.
Despite calls from dozens of Democrats for his resignation after the initial indictment, Menendez refused to vacate his seat, only going so far as to voluntarily resign as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
With a conviction now on his hands, it is unlikely that he will be able to hold onto his position for much longer.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/bob-menendez-guilty-in-corruption-trial-1235061439/
