The Cuban-American Bob Menéndez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, has been found guilty on all charges in his corruption trial. These charges include accepting bribes in the form of gold, cash, and a luxury car from three businessmen from the aforementioned U.S. territory.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Menéndez was also found guilty of acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. Prosecutors argued that Menéndez abused his political influence to protect his allies from legal investigations and benefit associates, including his wife. This allegedly involved meetings with Egyptian intelligence officials and changing his stance on that nation to expedite millions of dollars in U.S. military aid.
Menéndez, aged 70, did not testify and appeared calm upon hearing the verdict. Outside the courthouse, he publicly insisted that he was merely doing his job as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I have never violated my public oath. I have always been a patriot of my country." He also stated that the gold bars found in his New Jersey home by the FBI belonged to his wife, according to Univision's digital page. Both the politician and his legal team expressed their intention to appeal the decision.
The case has highlighted accusations of political corruption and undue influence in governmental matters. The conviction comes four months before election day, potentially ruining any hope Menéndez had of campaigning for re-election as an independent candidate.
In October 2023, U.S. federal prosecutors filed a new indictment against the New Jersey Democratic senator, Bob Menéndez, and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menéndez, accusing them of acting as undercover agents for Egypt. According to this statement, both conspired to act as foreign agents for Egypt, further complicating the recent corruption allegations against the Cuban-American senator, reported CNN.
Menéndez, who at the time of the first corruption charge was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had already been accused on September 22 of receiving "hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes" in exchange for political influence. The following day, he resigned from his position.
Days later, Menéndez suggested that the money he is accused of taking as bribes belongs to a personal savings account and is kept for emergencies. “I have withdrawn thousands of dollars in cash from my personal savings account, which I have kept for emergencies and because of my family’s history of facing confiscation in Cuba,” he said in his defense at a press conference.
During searches conducted by federal agents at the couple's home, they found $480,000 stored in envelopes hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe; gold bars worth over $100,000; and a Mercedes-Benz.
Understanding the Bob Menéndez Corruption Case
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Bob Menéndez corruption case to provide a clearer understanding of the situation.
What were the bribes Bob Menéndez accepted?
Bob Menéndez accepted bribes in the form of cash, gold, and a luxury car from three businessmen.
Why was Menéndez accused of acting as a foreign agent?
Menéndez was accused of acting as a foreign agent because he allegedly conspired to act on behalf of the Egyptian government, involving meetings with Egyptian intelligence officials and influencing U.S. military aid.
What evidence was found in Menéndez’s home?
Federal agents found $480,000 in cash hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe, as well as gold bars worth over $100,000 and a Mercedes-Benz.
What was Menéndez's defense regarding the cash and gold?
Menéndez claimed that the cash was withdrawn from his personal savings account for emergencies, citing his family’s history of confiscation in Cuba. He also stated that the gold bars belonged to his wife.