One sentence summary – US Senator Robert Menendez has temporarily stepped down from his position as chair of a powerful committee on foreign policy and global financial aid due to an indictment that alleges corruption and bribery involving the Egyptian government and a group of New Jersey businessmen; Menendez and his wife have been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, and authorities have seized $100,000 worth of gold bars and over $480,000 in cash from Menendez’s home.
At a glance
- A federal indictment reveals corruption and bribery allegations involving the Egyptian government and New Jersey businessmen.
- US Senator Robert Menendez has temporarily stepped down from his position as chair of a powerful committee due to the indictment.
- Menendez, his wife, and three New Jersey businessmen have been charged in the indictment.
- The charges against Menendez and his wife include conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion.
- $100,000 worth of gold bars and over $480,000 in cash have been seized from Menendez’s home.
The details
A recently unsealed federal indictment has revealed allegations of corruption and bribery involving the Egyptian government and a group of New Jersey businessmen.
US Senator Robert Menendez has temporarily stepped down from his position as chair of a powerful committee on foreign policy and global financial aid due to the indictment.
Senator Robert Menendez, his wife, and three New Jersey businessmen have been charged in the indictment.
The charges against Menendez and his wife include conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.
Authorities have seized $100,000 worth of gold bars and over $480,000 in cash from Menendez’s home.
The indictment outlines Menendez’s alleged involvement in several criminal schemes.
Menendez is accused of sharing sensitive US government information and pressuring prosecutors to drop investigations in exchange for cash and gifts.
He allegedly wrote a letter on behalf of the Egyptian government, urging the US to unfreeze aid to Egypt.
Menendez is said to have obtained sensitive details about the US Embassy in Cairo, which he shared with his wife and the Egyptian government.
He allegedly provided nonpublic information about US military aid to Egypt to one of the co-defendants, who then informed an Egyptian official.
Menendez is accused of ghostwriting a letter on behalf of the Egyptian government, calling on his colleagues to release aid to Egypt.
He allegedly contacted an official with the US Department of Agriculture to impede opposition to a company operated by one of the co-defendants.
The indictment suggests that Menendez’s ties to the co-defendants were crucial in securing a contract for the company.
Menendez’s wife allegedly shared information regarding the USDA’s objections with her husband, who later deleted the texts.
Menendez allegedly sought to interfere with a criminal investigation connected to another co-defendant’s trucking business.
Additionally, Menendez performed an internet search for the price of gold and brought two gold bars to a jeweler.
Several members of Congress, including Senator Cory Booker, have called on Menendez to resign.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has requested Menendez’s immediate resignation.
Democratic US Rep Andy Kim has announced his intention to run against Menendez in a primary for his seat.
Former US Attorney General Eric Holder and government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have also called for Menendez’s resignation.
Menendez has accused “forces behind the scenes” of attempting to smear him and his wife.
He has claimed that he withdrew cash from his personal savings account for emergencies and due to his family’s history in Cuba.
Menendez has stated that he will remain focused on his work and will not be distracted by the allegations.
He held a defiant press conference but did not specifically address the allegations in the complaint against him.
As this news story continues to unfold, more details may emerge.
It is essential to closely monitor any updates and developments regarding the ongoing investigation and Menendez’s position in the Senate.
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| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – A federal indictment has been unsealed, alleging corruption and bribery involving the Egyptian government and New Jersey businessmen. |
| – US Senator Robert Menendez, who chairs a powerful committee on foreign policy and global financial aid, has stepped down as chair until the matter is resolved. – |
| The indictment charges Menendez and his wife, along with three New Jersey businessmen, with participating in a bribery scheme. |
| – Authorities seized $100,000 worth of gold bars and over $480,000 in cash from Menendez’s home. |
| – Menendez and his wife are charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. – |
| The indictment outlines Menendez’s alleged role in several criminal schemes, including sharing sensitive US government information and pressuring prosecutors to drop investigations in exchange for cash and gifts. |
| – Menendez allegedly wrote a letter on behalf of the Egyptian government calling on the US to unfreeze aid to Egypt. |
| – |
| He allegedly met with one of the co-defendants to obtain sensitive details about the US Embassy in Cairo, which he then shared with his wife and the Egyptian government. – Menendez allegedly gave nonpublic information about US military aid to Egypt to the co-defendant, who then informed an Egyptian official. |
| – He allegedly ghostwrote a letter on behalf of the Egyptian government asking his colleagues to release aid to Egypt. |
| – Menendez allegedly called an official with the US Department of Agriculture to halt opposition to a company operated by one of the co-defendants. – |
| The indictment suggests that Menendez’s ties to the co-defendants were crucial to securing a contract for the company. |
| – Menendez’s wife allegedly shared information about the USDA’s objections with her husband, who later deleted the texts. – Menendez allegedly sought to interfere with a criminal investigation connected to another co-defendant’s trucking business. |
| – Menendez allegedly performed an internet search for the price of gold and brought two gold bars to a jeweler. – Several members of Congress, including Senator Cory Booker, have called on Menendez to resign. – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has asked for Menendez’s immediate resignation. – Democratic US Rep Andy Kim has announced his intention to run against Menendez in a primary for his seat. |
| – Former US Attorney General Eric Holder and government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have called for Menendez’s resignation. |
| – Menendez has accused “forces behind the scenes” of attempting to smear him and his wife. |
| – Menendez has claimed that he withdrew cash from his personal savings account for emergencies and because of his family’s history in Cuba. – Menendez has stated that he will remain focused on his work and will not be distracted by the allegations. – Menendez held a defiant press conference but did not address the allegations in the complaint against him. |
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