In recent developments, American Senator Bob Menendez and his wife have been accused of being part of a “corrupt relationship” involving cash, gold bars, home confinement payments, and much more in federal bribery charges in New York.
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More About Senator Bob Menendez And His Wife Incident
The allegations suggest that Menendez provided “sensitive information to the sensitive American government and took other steps that covertly benefited the Egyptian government,” as well as pressuring a U.S. Department of Agriculture official in favor of a businessman’s agricultural monopoly in Egypt.
Democratic Senator from New Jersey is also accused of using his office and influence to obstruct the criminal investigation against another businessman in the state.
Furthermore, it’s alleged that Senator Bob Menendez And His Wife suggested President Joe Biden nominate a candidate for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, whom the Senator believed could be influenced by Menendez regarding the third businessman’s case.
Both the Senator Bob Menendez And His Wife , Nadine Menendez, appeared in a press conference on Wednesday at the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office, where Attorney Damien Williams stated, “This investigation is ongoing.”
“We did not do it,” they responded.
The case also implicates three identified businessmen as recipients of purported corrupt aid from Bob Menendez: Well Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Dibbs.
According to a close source speaking to ABC News, Menendez, who is preparing for re-election in 2024, has agreed to step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee due to the bribery allegations.
They, along with Nadine and other defendants, are scheduled to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday.
Menendez vehemently denied the criminal charges in a statement, accusing the prosecutors of launching a “long-standing friendship” attack on his wife and vowing to continue fulfilling his duties as Senator.
“I am focused on continuing this important work and will not be distracted by baseless allegations,” Menendez stated.
This is not the first time Menendez has faced allegations of federal bribery. In 2015, he was accused of receiving lavish gifts and campaign donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Florida eye specialist Solomon Melgen, who was implicated in 14 criminal cases related to Medicare fraud which I think a positive way to help the needy ones.
Melgen was later convicted of Medicare fraud and sentenced to over 15 years in prison. However, following the mistrial in the corruption case against Menendez, the bribery charges were dropped.
In the new allegations, it is claimed that Menendez and his wife have accepted tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes from at least 2018 to 2022 in exchange for using Menendez’s power and influence as a Senator to benefit businessmen and Egypt.
The charges state that “those bribes included cash, gold, home confinement payments, compensation for little or no-show jobs for Nadine, a luxury vehicle, and other valuable items.” A grand jury indictment.
In the new case, Menendez and Nadine face three charges: conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to make extortionate extensions of credit under official right.
In the previous two cases, Hana, Uribe, and Dibbs have been accused.
It is alleged that Menendez attempted to obstruct Dibbs’ federal criminal investigation in exchange for money and other valuable items. Senator’s involvement allegedly included recommending to President Biden nominate a candidate for U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey “whom Menendez believed could be influenced by Menendez regarding Dibbs’ case,” according to the charges.
Biden eventually nominated Philip Selinger for U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, and Selinger’s appointment to the top federal prosecutor’s position in the state was confirmed.
Nadine’s attorney, David Scharf, said in a statement given to ABC News, “Mrs. Menendez categorically denies any wrongdoing and will vigorously defend against these allegations in court.”
A spokesperson for Hana said, “We are confident that Mr. Hana will be completely exonerated of all charges.“
Regarding the charges, a spokesperson for Uribe stated, “We are still reviewing the allegations, but based on our initial review, there is absolutely no substance to them.”
In June 2022, during the execution of a search warrant at Menendez’s New Jersey home and a secure safe deposit box, federal agents reportedly found cash, gold, and a luxury vehicle associated with businessmen involved in “the couple’s corrupt bribery scheme.”
The charges state, “Much of the cash – the majority of which was stuffed in envelopes and concealed in clothing, drawers, and a safe – was found in the house, along with 70,000 dollars more in Nadine Menendez’s secure deposit box.”
Charging documents noted, “Some of the envelopes contained Menendez’s or his driver’s fingerprints and/or DNA” and more are investigating .
