Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York over allegations of public corruption involving attempts to influence a federal prosecution, as well as participating in a foreign influence operation. Federal prosectors argue Menendez worked to disrupt the prosecution of long-time donor and associate Jose Uribe and essentially acted as an unregistered foreign agent for Arab Republic of Egypt.
Menendez and his wife Nadine received payments in cash, gold bars, and a luxury vehicle for their efforts on behalf of Uribe and the Egyptian government. The scheme to ensure military aid for Egypt ran through Menendez’s wife and Wael “Will” Hana, an Egyptian-American businessman.
During a June 2022 raid on the Menendez New Jersey residence, federal agents found over $480,000 in cash connected to the corruptions schemes. In addition, bars of gold and a Mercedes Benz were also seized in connection to the case. Much of the cash was hidden in articles of clothing owned by the Menendez’s, including several articles with Sen. Menendez’s name emblazoned on the front. The indictment also reveals Sen. Menendez googled “how much is one kilo of gold worth” after returning from a trip to Egypt.
The most serious allegations Menendez faces involve actions he took on behalf of Egypt and its military. The indictment alleges Menendez, through his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was able to obtain sensitive information about U.S. embassy staff in Cairo and subsequently passed it on to members of the Egyptian government. Additionally, once Sen. Menendez was able to secure passage of military sales and financing to Egypt, he – through his wife Nadine – contacted Hana who notified the Egyptian government. An Eygptian government official responded to a text from Hana with a ‘thumbs up’ emoji.
Sen. Menendez faces three counts in total: Conspiracy to Commit bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Extortion Under Color of Official Right.
UPDATE: Late this afternoon Senator Menendez announced he would be stepping down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of which he has served as a member since 2008. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the move, stating: “Senator Menendez has rightly decided to step down temporarily from his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee until the matter has been resolved.”