Democrat Senator ‘Bullion Bob’ Menendez accused of taking bribes worth hundreds of thousands.

Senator Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) and his wife are facing bribery charges related to their association with three businessmen from New Jersey, according to federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan alleges that the defendants⁢ accepted bribes in exchange for Menendez’s use of his senatorial power and influence to benefit ​the businessmen and the government‌ of Egypt.

The bribes reportedly included⁤ cash, gold, mortgage payments, a ‍job with minimal requirements, a luxury vehicle, and other valuable items. Menendez, who chairs the influential Senate Committee on Foreign ⁤Relations, and his wife, Nadine Menendez, are ‌each facing three criminal counts.

While Menendez’s office and Nadine Menendez’s lawyer have not yet responded to the charges, this news follows recent reports of Menendez being investigated for accepting gold bars from a corrupt businessman in exchange ⁣for assistance. Additionally, Menendez has faced scrutiny for allegedly receiving gifts from a company that won a ‌suspicious contract to certify halal ⁤meat exports to Egypt.

As an important ally‍ to President ‍Joe Biden, Menendez’s involvement in these scandals could complicate Democrats’ efforts to expand their majority in the Senate. Menendez and his co-defendants ‍are scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on September 27.

Prosecutors are seeking to have Menendez forfeit assets, including his New Jersey home, a 2019 Mercedes-Benz, and approximately $566,000 in cash, gold bars, and funds from a bank account. The businessmen involved in​ the scheme, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and ⁤Fred Daibes, have also ⁢been charged.

According to prosecutors, ⁤Hana arranged meetings between Menendez and Egyptian officials, during which Menendez shared non-public information about the status of U.S. military aid. In return, Hana put Nadine Menendez on his company’s payroll. Egypt, a major recipient of U.S. military aid, granted one of Hana’s companies ⁣an exclusive license⁣ to ⁢export halal food from the United ⁤States, despite lacking experience in halal certification.

Menendez’s alleged involvement in these bribery offenses raises concerns about the integrity ​of his position as a senator and his ability to effectively represent the interests of the American people. The charges⁤ against him and his‍ wife highlight⁤ the need for accountability ​and transparency in our political system.

It remains to be seen how these legal​ proceedings will impact Menendez’s political career and the broader implications for the⁤ Democratic Party. The press conference by Damian Williams, the ⁢top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, ⁣is expected to⁢ shed more light on the charges.

Menendez, ​who⁢ has served in the Senate since 2006, had previously faced bribery charges in New Jersey, but the case ended in a jury deadlock in 2017. Prosecutors dropped the charges in 2018, and Menendez⁢ maintained his innocence. However, ‌with these new‌ allegations, his reputation and future in politics hang in the balance.

Reported by Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel in ‌New York, with⁣ additional reporting by Patricia‌ Zengerle, Simon Lewis, and Andrew Goudsward in Washington. ​Written by Tom Hals, edited by Mark Porter.

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