Sen. Robert Menendez leaves court after the verdict was read at his trial in New York City, July 16, 2024.
Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still
Important Takeaways:
- Menendez is the first senator to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent.
- Menendez pleaded not guilty to 16 federal charges including bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent and obstruction.
- Federal prosecutors in New York alleged the New Jersey Democrat accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments and more in exchange for the senator’s political clout.
- Three New Jersey businessmen who were also charged, along with the governments of Egypt and Qatar, were the alleged recipients.
- The FBI found gold bars and more than $400,000 in cash stashed in places including jackets and shoes throughout his home, prosecutors said.
- “The only honest verdict I submit here is to acquit him on each count,” defense attorney Adam Fee told the jury on July 9. “His actions were lawful, normal and good for the country.”
- This marked the second time the senator was charged with corruption. A 2015 indictment ended in a mistrial in 2018 after a jury failed to reach a verdict on all counts.
- Menendez will be sentenced on Oct. 29 and faces decades in prison.
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