Sen. Robert Menendez Indicted On Bribery Charges

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife have been charged with bribery charges following a years-long public corruption investigation by the Justice Department. Menendez faces three alleged crimes, including being on the receiving end of a bribery conspiracy and providing “sensitive” information to foreign governments. A search of Menendez’s home found bars of gold and hundreds of thousands in cash hidden in coat pockets. https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1705331658134589750 From the New York Times:

During a search of the couple’s home in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and a safe deposit box in Ms. Menendez’s name, investigators found $550,000 in cash, much of it hidden in clothing, closets and a safe.

Some of the cash was stuffed in envelopes that contained the fingerprints or DNA of Mr. Daibes or his driver, who was not named.

Investigators also found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars, some of which were featured in photographs in the indictment.

Menendez has denied any criminal conduct and his lawyer told the press he will “vigorously” defend himself in court. There’s much more at the Times. Menendez has already stepped down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, as required by rules the Senate Democrats adopted to govern themselves. https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1705337821077049517 New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy (D) has called on Menendez to resign. If he were to step down before the end of his term in 2025, the governor would be responsible for appointing a successor. This isn’t Menendez’s first encounter with serious legal issues. In 2015, Mr. Menendez was indicted in New Jersey on bribery charges in what federal prosecutors called a scheme between the senator and a wealthy eye doctor. The trial ended in a mistrial in November 2017 after the jury said it was unable to reach a verdict. Knowing the little I do at this point, I personally think Menendez should resign. https://twitter.com/mmpadellan/status/1705222625469845835 https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/1705243266298347604