Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) has been convicted of taking bribes from New Jersey businessmen.
On Tuesday, a jury convicted the powerful Senate Democrat of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and a luxury car on all charges.
The Associated Press notes, “Over a nine-week trial, prosecutors said the New Jersey Democrat abused the power of his office to protect allies from criminal investigations and enrich associates, including his wife, through acts that included meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and helping that country access millions of dollars in U.S. military aid.”
“Menendez did not testify, but insisted publicly he was only doing his job as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said gold bars found in his New Jersey home by the FBI belonged to his wife,” it added.
The conviction comes as Menendez is seeking to win re-election by running as an independent candidate.
After the news of Menendez’s conviction, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) posted on X, “In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign.”
