Democrat Senator Robert Menendez and his wife have been charged with bribery by U.S. prosecutors.
This will undoubtedly cause further problems for Democrats who hope to maintain their slim majority in the Senate.
Menendez is accused of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes from New Jersey businessmen in exchange for using Menendez’s power and influence in politics.
You would think because Bob Menendez was tried a few years ago that he would be on his best behavior going forward.. NOPE. Complete corruption. pic.twitter.com/2HObdmWLN9
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) September 23, 2023
Menendez allegedly provided protection to help enrich the businessmen and benefit the government of Egypt.
Here’s a look at the alleged bribes:
• Police discovered more than $480,000 in cash in his home. The report says much of the cash was “stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe” and “over $70,000 in Nadine Menendez’s safe deposit box.”
• Gold bars were seized from Menendez’s home. The gold is estimated to be worth more than $100,000.
• Federal agents found “home furnishings” provided by foreign nationals.
• Prosecutors say the family’s Mercedes-Benz C-300 was also paid for as part of the bribe.
Here’s what Menendez allegedly did in return:
• Menendez allegedly sold national secrets to Egypt, including “sensitive U.S. government information and took other steps that secretly aided the government of Egypt.”
• Menendez allegedly lobbied the United States on behalf of Egypt. In 2018, Menendez “secretly edited and ghost-wrote” a letter on behalf of Egypt meant to persuade other U.S. senators to release a hold on $300 million in aid to the country.
• Menendez allegedly meddled with the justice system. In 2019, he allegedly attempted to strong-arm a prosecutor in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office into resolving cases in favor of his friend who sent bribes.
• Menendez allegedly supported the nomination of U.S. attorney he thought would go easy on his friend.
• Menendez allegedly told Egyptian official what senators would ask. In June 2021, he held a private meeting with an Egyptian official and gave “questions that other U.S. senators” intended to ask him.
