ALBAWABA - In a momentous judgment, a Southern District of New York Federal Court jury convicted New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez guilty of all bribery and corruption charges. After nine weeks, the former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman was convicted.
The jury found Menendez, 70, guilty of receiving bribes, pressuring investigators, and serving a foreign government. Each of his 16 counts may land him in jail for 20 years.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine (Arslanian) Menendez, were indicted in a 39-page document on September 22, 2023. It accused the pair of extensive bribery for political advantages. Searches revealed gold bars and stashed cash in their residence.
The indictment emphasized Menendez's influence on government assistance to Egypt as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman. His acts with Egyptian-origin New Jersey businesses and companies were also scrutinized.
After these claims, Menendez resigned as Chairman but refused to retire from the Senate despite party and public pressure. An amended indictment accused Menendez of exploiting his political power to benefit Qatar.
Cuban-born Menendez opposes Turkey in Congress and supports Greek and Armenian interests. He has regularly criticized US F-16 sales to Turkey and Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean policy.
