US Senator Bob Menendez Found Guilty of Bribery and Corruption
US Senator Bob Menendez was found guilty of 16 charges, including accepting bribes in gold and cash from business people and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. Menendez had been awarded an award by the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus for his services.
US Senator Bob Menendez has been found guilty on charges of bribery and corruption following a high-profile trial.
Menendez faced 16 separate charges, including accepting gold and cash bribes from New Jersey businessmen, acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government, and meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials.
Prosecutors alleged that Menendez abused his Senate position for personal gain and to benefit his associates. The FBI discovered $150,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash at Menendez’s home. The indictment also highlighted Menendez’s influence over military aid to Egypt during his tenure as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his connections with Egyptian businessmen in New Jersey. Despite these allegations, Menendez has consistently denied all charges and maintained his innocence.
Following the verdict, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Menendez’s resignation.
However, Menendez has resisted calls to step down from his Senate seat, despite mounting pressure from his party and the public. With the court’s final decision pending, it is projected that Menendez could face up to 20 years in prison.
Menendez’s political career began in 1974 when he was elected to the Union City Board of Education, and he became a US Senator in 2006. He is known for his anti-Turkey stance and his close ties to Greek and Armenian lobbying groups. As a result of the charges and the trial, Menendez’s political future remains uncertain. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29.
Advocate for Greek Cypriot Interests
Senator Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, is recognized for his opposition to Türkiye’s policies in the US Congress.
During his tenure, Menendez has been a vocal critic of the sale of F-16s to Türkiye by the US and has expressed his concerns over Türkiye’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.
Menendez’s close relationship with Greek and Armenian lobbying groups has also been notable. On August 25, he was awarded the Apostle Barnabas Gold Medal by the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus for his contributions to the Greek Cypriot cause and his service to “Hellenism.”
