Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez denied any wrongdoing on Monday and vowed to remain in Congress after he and his wife were accused by prosecutors of accepting bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. Menendez challenged calls for his resignation from elected officials in New Jersey, including the state’s Democratic governor. His decision to stay in the Senate could complicate his party's efforts to maintain a slim majority of 51 to 49 in the chamber, although New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.
Menendez has temporarily stepped down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Democratic rules in the chamber require any member charged with a felony to relinquish their leadership position, but they can regain it if they are found innocent. Menendez (69) stated in his first public comments since the charges were filed, "I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, I will not only be exonerated, but I will remain a prominent member of the Senate from New Jersey."
Prosecutors allege that Menendez received hundreds of thousands of dollars and gold bars in exchange for using his power and influence to assist the Egyptian government and to intervene in law enforcement investigations involving the three businessmen. The prosecutors are seeking to seize Menendez's assets, which include a house, a 2019 Mercedes-Benz, $566,000 in cash, gold bars, and funds in a bank account.
Menendez, his wife, and the businessmen are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday. The couple faces a potential sentence of up to 45 years in prison, but judges in such cases typically impose sentences below the maximum penalty.
