Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) Faces New Charge of Foreign Agent Conspiracy Ahead of October 13th Trial

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is facing a new charge of foreign agent conspiracy, according to a superseding indictment released on Thursday by Manhattan federal prosecutors. The initial indictment had accused Menendez of doing favors which benefitted an Egyptian businessman in exchange for cash and other perks.

The new charge formally accuses the former chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of conspiring to secretly act on behalf of the Egyptian government. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) had placed a hold on $300 million in aid to Egypt, and Menendez allegedly sought to have the hold lifted.

Menendez and wife Nadine Menendez already faced charges of accepting bribes from an Egyptian American businessman and his associates in exchange for using his official position as both the senior senator from New Jersey and the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to help them and the Egyptian government.

The new charge of foreign agent conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Menendez has denied all charges, and his lawyers have argued that the case is politically motivated.

The trial is set to begin on October 13th. Menendez is the first sitting senator to face federal bribery charges since 1981. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.