In an expanded indictment, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and his wife are facing new obstruction-of-justice charges. Accused of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen, the charges were included in a rewritten indictment returned against the Democrat in Manhattan federal court.
Allegations and Response
Conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction-of-justice charges were added against Menendez and his wife, Nadine. In response to the updated indictment, the senator labeled the additions as “a flagrant abuse of power.” Menendez mentioned that the government was aware that he was involved in repaying loans, not bribes, provided to his wife. He maintained his innocence, stating, “I am innocent and will prove it no matter how many charges they continue to pile on.”
Ongoing Legal Battle
The indictment already states that the couple conspired with three businessmen to receive bribes in exchange for the senator’s assistance with their projects. Menendez and his wife, along with two of the businessmen, have pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled for May. One businessman recently pleaded guilty to charges and agreed to testify against the others.
Following his arrest, Menendez, aged 70, had to step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but asserted that he would not resign from Congress.
Specific Allegations
Among the new allegations detailed in the indictment, prosecutors claim that Menendez assisted a real-estate developer in securing a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund in exchange for gold bars and cash. Additionally, he allegedly aided another New Jersey business associate in obtaining a lucrative deal with the Egyptian government.
Prosecutors also assert that Menendez orchestrated meetings with his attorney in June and September to deny his awareness of a $23,000 mortgage payment made on their New Jersey home and money contributed towards a Mercedes-Benz convertible by another defendant until 2022. The lawyer suggested that Menendez had only discovered in 2022 that these payments were loans.
Menendez Accused of Bribe Payments and Obstruction of Justice
The prosecutors alleged that Menendez was aware of receiving bribe payments disguised as mortgage and car payments prior to 2022, contrary to the claim that they were loans.
Obstructing Justice
In a new indictment, Nadine Menendez was accused of misleading prosecutors by stating that the payments were loans rather than bribes. The couple faces charges of obstruction of justice leading up to their initial arrest in September.
Questionable Conduct
Nadine Menendez allegedly coached a businessman on what to tell investigators regarding payments made for a convertible, suggesting the businessman claim they were loans. Prosecutors claim this behavior aimed to obstruct justice.
Uncovering Hidden Wealth
The FBI raids in 2022 on Menendez’s residence revealed over $100,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in cash hidden throughout the house. Menendez claimed the cash was personal savings intended for emergencies.
Political History
Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, has been in public office since 1986, culminating in a Senate seat appointment in 2006 by then-Governor Jon Corzine.
