Menendez Corruption Trial Begins with New Bribery Allegations

The corruption trial against Senator Bob Menendez, D-N.J., begins today, with jury selection commencing in the federal case. This marks the Justice Department’s second effort to convict Menendez of bribery. The new accusations involve Menendez and his wife allegedly aiding the governments of Qatar and Egypt, along with three New Jersey businessmen, in exchange for extravagant gifts and cash.

Prosecutors claim that between 2018 and 2022, Menendez and his wife engaged in a wide-ranging bribery scheme benefiting Egyptian and Qatari officials, a friend’s New Jersey halal meat business, and associates facing legal troubles. Alleged gifts included cash, gold bars, a diamond ring, a Mercedes-Benz, home furnishings, exercise equipment, and more.

Initially charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, Menendez, 70, now faces over a dozen additional charges. These include obstruction and acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government. Prosecutors claim Menendez provided secret information to Egyptian officials and advocated for military aid to Egypt in exchange for payments funneled through a halal meat monopoly owned by a co-defendant.

Evidence in the case includes emails, texts, nearly $500,000 in cash, and 13 gold bars allegedly found in Menendez’s home. While Menendez successfully defended against bribery charges in 2017, the new case includes accusations against his wife and three others.

Menendez’s political support appears to be wavering, with Senators Cory Booker and Lindsey Graham, who testified for him in the previous trial, now distancing themselves. Booker has called for Menendez’s resignation, and Graham no longer intends to be a witness.

Menendez’s co-defendants include his wife, a real estate developer, and an insurance businessman. They face charges related to attempts to interfere in legal cases and bribery. Menendez has pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence and accusing prosecutors of a vendetta. His wife’s trial is set to begin in July, and Menendez has announced he will not seek re-election as a Democrat, leaving open the possibility of an independent bid.

Menendez’s legal troubles began in 2015 with an indictment alongside Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist. The case ended in a mistrial, and despite the charges, Menendez won re-election in 2018.