In a highly anticipated bribery trial, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has been found guilty of all 16 criminal counts, including corruption and acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
The verdict was delivered by a Manhattan federal court jury on Tuesday after more than 12 hours of deliberation over three days.
Prosecutors accused Menendez, a prominent New Jersey Democrat, of participating in bribery schemes involving his wife and three businessmen seeking his influence.
The charges included accepting bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, and car and mortgage payments in exchange for political favours.
Menendez was also accused of directing billions of dollars in U.S. aid to Egypt, benefiting one of the businessmen, Wael Hana, who had connections to Egyptian officials.
Additionally, Menendez was accused of influencing criminal investigations involving other two businessmen, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe.
Hana and Daibes who are co-defendants in the trial, were also convicted on all counts. Uribe, who pleaded guilty, testified against Menendez as a prosecution witness.
Menendez, who did not testify, maintained his innocence, claiming his actions were part of his duties as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His defense also attempted to shift blame onto his wife.
However, the prosecution presented a detailed nine-week case demonstrating Menendez’s awareness and involvement. “Menendez not only was involved in this, but knew what was going on,” reported Saloomey.
This conviction significantly impacts Menendez’s political future, coming just four months before the November election, undermining his potential bid for re-election as an independent candidate.
Menendez’s wife, Nadine, also faces charges, but her trial has been delayed due to her recovery from breast cancer surgery.
During a 2022 raid on their New Jersey home, FBI agents seized nearly $150,000 in gold bars and over $480,000 in cash, some hidden in clothing bearing Menendez’s name.
Menendez had expressed hope as he left court on Monday, suggesting the jury was meticulously examining the evidence. “It’s obvious that the government’s case is not as simple as they made it to be,” he said, adding that “The jury’s finding that out.”
