NEW YORK – Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was accused of taking bribes in order to protect and enrich three businessmen and provide information to Egypt.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said that F.B.I. investigators went to the senator’s home and found gold bars, a Mercedes Benz, and more than $500,000 in cash stuffed into envelopes in a closet.
All of these were gifts from three businessmen – Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes – who also face charges.
Hana, an Egyptian businessman, allegedly arranged meetings between Menendez and Egyptian officials in 2018. These officials asked about the status of U.S. military aid to the country. At the time, Egypt had its aid held due to its human rights record.
Menendez would provide non-public information about the status of the aid to Hana, who then texted an Egyptian official, “The ban on small arms and ammunition to Egypt has been lifted,” police said.
Williams said that Menendez’ wife, Nadine, was rewarded by Hana with a lucrative no-show or low-show job as part of the bribes.
In one case, Menendez allegedly pressured a U.S. Department of Agriculture official on behalf of Hana. Hana’s company had a monopoly, and Menendez sought to protect Hana’s company’s status. However, the official did not waver, Williams said.
In another case, Menendez allegedly tried to interfere with a criminal investigation and prosecution of Uribe, who owns a trucking company.
In the third case, Menendez allegedly recommend to the president someone for U.S. Attorney who he believed he could influence. He did this on behalf of Daibes, who was a defendant in a case. Some of the cash envelopes contained the DNA of either Daibes or his driver, the indictment said.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, shows the loot that investigators collected from the property of Senator Menendez. (Screenshot by Chris Lundy)
Williams noted that Menendez’ website shows what he can and can not do. For example, he can not promote businesses or make certain deals. Williams quipped that perhaps the Senator will do all these things – for a price.
In announcing the indictments, they did not allow questions from the press.
Menendez will likely have to step aside as chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, CNN reported.
The 69-year-old has been in the Senate since 2006. This case will likely play heavily in the election next year, when his term is up. The control of the Senate may well be dependent on this case since Democrats currently have a narrow majority.
This is not the first time that the senator faced bribery charges. He had been accused in 2017 of accepting contributions for favors.
In that case, Menendez pleaded not guilty, and the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. A mistrial was declared and charges were dismissed in 2018.
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