Gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars were found in the home of US Senator Bob Menendez – bribery from Egypt and Qatar, as jurors have now ruled.
US Senator Bob Menendez has been found guilty of corruption. Twelve jurors in New York convicted the Democratic representative from New Jersey on all 16 counts – including bribery and fraud, as US media unanimously reported from the courtroom.
The sentence is to be announced on October 29. Menendez faces a long prison sentence. After the verdict was announced, he announced that he would appeal. “I have never broken my public oath. I have never been anything other than a patriot of my country and for my country,” he said.
According to the New York Times, the 70-year-old is only the seventh sitting senator in US history to be convicted of a crime. The Democratic majority leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, called on him to resign.
The jury found it proven that Menendez used his political influence to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar and accepted bribes and luxury items in return. Investigators found around 500,000 US dollars (around 459,000 euros) in cash on him – hidden in envelopes and in his jackets, according to the prosecution. There was also talk of gold bars and a “luxury car”.
“Loans” and “Gifts”
Menendez had pleaded not guilty. The trial of his wife, who is also accused, has been delayed because she is undergoing cancer treatment.
Menendez, a Democrat, has been a member of the Senate for the state of New Jersey on the US east coast since 2006. He has been investigated in the past, with the focus being on questionable business deals and luxury trips. However, he was never convicted.
Two businessmen who bribed Menendez were convicted along with the politician. They did not deny the payments, but claimed that they were either gifts without consideration or loans.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
