July 16, 2024
Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey was found guilty on all counts in a federal corruption trial. The jury returned the verdict after deliberating for over twelve hours.
Menendez, a Democrat, was charged with bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt from 2018 to 2022. He did not testify in his own defense during the trial.
The jury's verdict makes Menendez only the seventh sitting U.S. senator to be convicted of a federal crime, and will create intense pressure on him to resign before his term expires at year's end.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Menendez tried to use his power to advance Egyptian military interests, interfere in criminal prosecutions and secure investment from Qatari officials. In exchange for these actions, Menendez received hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
The jury also found guilty Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, two businessmen who were accused of bribing Menendez. Sentencing is scheduled for October 29 with potential decades in prison and a ban from holding public office.
Menendez's conviction comes amidst intense scrutiny of New Jersey Democrats, including George Norcross and other powerbrokers in the state. The verdict has also raised questions about the role of foreign powers in U.S. politics.
