A jury in New York City is set to continue deliberating on Tuesday in the bribery trial of Senator Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat. Menendez is accused of receiving gold and cash in exchange for using his political influence to assist three businessmen and the Egyptian government. The senator, aged 70, maintains his innocence against the 16 charges brought against him, which include allegations of corrupt acts such as interfering in criminal investigations to protect his associates and aiding one in dealing with U.S. agriculture regulators. Additionally, he is accused of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.
Menendez is being tried alongside two New Jersey businessmen, all of whom have pleaded not guilty. Another defendant pleaded guilty prior to the trial and testified against Menendez and the others. Although Menendez’s wife Nadine faces charges in the case as well, her trial has been postponed due to her recovery from breast cancer surgery.
Following a raid on Menendez’s residence in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, in 2022, FBI agents seized gold bars valued at nearly $150,000 and over $480,000 in cash, some hidden in boots and jackets bearing the senator’s name. Menendez expressed optimism about the jury’s thorough review of evidence during their deliberations as he left the courthouse on Monday. The jury had previously raised queries about the charges, including one about the requirement for unanimity to acquit on a single count.
The prosecution argued that Menendez had assisted the businessmen numerous times and pointed to his efforts to expedite $99 million in helicopter ammunition to Egypt, along with his close communications with top Egyptian officials, as evidence that he was acting in the interest of Egypt as an agent. Conversely, Menendez’s defense maintained that he never accepted bribes and that his actions on behalf of the businessmen were typical duties of a public official. His legal team further argued that his foreign responsibilities as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a position he had to resign from due to the charges, justified his actions.
Several weeks ago, Menendez announced his intention to run for reelection this year as an independent candidate.
