Bob Menendez, a United States Senator from New Jersey, was convicted on all 16 counts in a federal corruption trial in Manhattan on Tuesday, July 16th.
Menendez became the first sitting senator ever convicted of acting as an agent for a foreign government.
The charges against the senator included bribery, honest services fraud, and obstruction of justice.
The 12-member jury deliberated for less than two days before reaching their decision.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Menendez had abused his influential position, performing favors for Egypt’s government and attempting to interfere with criminal investigations in exchange for lavish gifts.
These bribes reportedly included gold bars, a luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible, and large sums of cash, which were discovered during a raid on his home.
Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, commented, “This case has always been about shocking levels of corruption. This wasn’t politics as usual. It was politics for profit.”
During the trial, prosecutors presented text messages, emails, and other records linking Menendez to a scheme involving political favors in exchange for bribes.
Upon leaving the courthouse, Menendez expressed his disappointment with the verdict and declared his intention to appeal.
“I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country. I have never ever been a foreign agent,” he stated.
On the same day, businessmen Fred Daibes and Wael Hana were also found guilty of all charges.
They were accused of bribing Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, who will be tried separately.
Despite the conviction, Menendez has not indicated whether he will resign or continue his political career independently, although he has registered to pursue reelection.
However, following the verdict, Senator Charles Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, said on Tuesday, “In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has also urged the Senate to take action to expel Menendez.
Menendez’s conviction marks the downfall of the 70-year-old Democrat, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics for decades. His political career began in 1974 when he joined Union City’s school board at age 20, eventually becoming a U.S. Senator and chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
As Menendez awaits sentencing on October 29, the political landscape in New Jersey and the U.S. Senate hangs in the balance. If expelled by his colleagues, Menendez would be the first U.S. Senator removed from office since the Civil War era.
