Key takeaways:
- Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was indicted on Friday for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and using his office to benefit a foreign government in exchange for favors.
- The investigation into Menendez began in 2013 when the FBI searched his home and uncovered stacks of cash and gold bars.
- If convicted, Menendez could face up to 20 years in prison and the case could have significant implications for the senator’s political future.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was indicted on Friday by Manhattan federal prosecutors for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and using his office to benefit a foreign government in exchange for favors.
The 39-page indictment alleges that Menendez and his wife Nadine acted as a bribery power-couple, receiving a Mercedez-Benz, gold bars, cash envelopes, and a no-show job at a halal meat company. Menendez is accused of using his office to benefit the government of Egypt as it sought to receive American weapons, and to pressure state and federal prosecutors in New Jersey to go easy on the senator’s associates.
The investigation into Menendez began in 2013 when the FBI searched his home and uncovered stacks of cash and gold bars. The senator has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyers have called the charges “false” and “baseless.”
Menendez is the first sitting senator to be indicted since 2008, when Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) was charged with failing to report gifts. In that case, the charges were later dropped after the Justice Department admitted to misconduct in the investigation.
The indictment of Sen. Menendez is a serious matter and the senator will have to answer to the charges in court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. The case will be closely watched by the public and could have significant implications for the senator’s political future.
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