New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez Found Guilty on 16 Bribery

In what sounds like the plot of a bad crime movie, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has been convicted on 16 counts for a bribery scheme that involved, yes, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz. You can't make this stuff up. After a nail-biting 12 hours of jury deliberation over three days, Menendez was found guilty on all charges in a trial that dragged on for nine weeks.

Menendez, who used to head the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, now faces the not-so-influential prospect of spending decades in prison. Naturally, Democratic lawmakers are urging him to step down faster than you can say "corruption." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign." Translation: "Bob, pack your bags."

Despite the conviction, Menendez insists he's as innocent as a lamb. Outside the New York City courthouse, he claimed, "I never violated my public oath. I have never been but a patriot of my country and for my country." His lawyer, Adam Fee, was "surprised and disappointed" with the verdict and promises to appeal "aggressively." Because who wouldn't want to aggressively defend accepting gold bars?

Prosecutors were having none of it. Damian Williams, an attorney for the Southern District of New York, said the case showed "shocking levels of corruption." He added, "This wasn't politics as usual, this was politics for profit." Well, Bob, looks like your office is closed for business.

Menendez’s defense team tried to argue that the gifts he received were just that—gifts. They claimed prosecutors couldn't prove he took any specific actions because of them. Meanwhile, his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, who also faces bribery charges, had her trial delayed due to breast cancer treatment. She pleaded not guilty, and the lawyers tried to paint her as the mastermind desperate for cash.

Prosecutors presented a parade of expert testimonies, emails, and text messages, showing Menendez happily accepted lavish rewards from foreign governments. The gifts included gold bars worth over $100,000, some of which were shown to jurors. Not to be outdone, the FBI found more than $480,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes and coats at Menendez’s home.

Two businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, also found themselves in hot water for allegedly seeking Menendez's help to aid the Egyptian government and secure millions from a Qatari investment fund. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty and testified against Menendez. In return for the bribes, Menendez supposedly helped secure millions in US aid for Egypt and tried to influence criminal probes for his buddies.

As Menendez campaigns as an independent to keep his seat in November's election, many Democrats have distanced themselves from him since last year's indictment. Andy Kim, a Democratic congressman from New Jersey, called the verdict "a sad and somber day" for the state and reiterated his call for Menendez to resign. "The people of New Jersey deserve better," he said.

This isn't Menendez’s first brush with the law. In 2017, he faced federal corruption charges for allegedly doing political favors for a wealthy Florida eye doctor in exchange for luxury holidays and other gifts. That case ended in a mistrial, but it looks like his luck has run out this time.

So, if you're looking for a senator with a taste for the finer things in life—gold bars, luxury cars, and a knack for landing in hot water—Bob Menendez is your guy.