Businessman Hana Arrested in Connection to Alleged Bribery Scheme Involving Sen. Bob Menendez and His Wife

A New Jersey resident originally from Egypt, Hana, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, according to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of […]. The FBI is currently investigating whether Egypt’s intelligence services may have been involved in the alleged bribery scheme described in the indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife.

Hana, one of three businessmen federally charged with coordinating hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and his wife, was arrested Tuesday after flying into New York. Investigators are looking into whether Egyptian intelligence officials or their associates attempted to gain access to Menendez through his wife, Nadine.

Hana’s attorney, Lawrence Lustberg, released a statement to CBS News saying that Hana “returned voluntarily from Egypt so that he would have the opportunity to prove his innocence which we are confident he will be able to do after a full and fair trial.” As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez has overseen billions of dollars in U.S. aid to Egypt.

The FBI is currently conducting a counterintelligence investigation into the alleged bribery scheme involving Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife. Hana, one of three businessmen federally charged with coordinating hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, was arrested Tuesday after flying into New York. Investigators are looking into whether Egyptian intelligence officials or their associates attempted to gain access to Menendez through his wife, Nadine. Hana’s attorney has expressed confidence in his client’s innocence and the case will proceed to trial.