Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez are facing years in prison after being indicted for bribery. The senator, who has faced a myriad of criminal investigations over his tie in office, is accused of accepting gold bars and other gifts in exchange for providing help for a criminal case and to the Egyptian government.
A press event will be held today at 11:00 a.m. to announce the unsealing of an indictment charging Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, and his wife, Nadine Menendez, with bribery offenses in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen. pic.twitter.com/CLTXnU0mAm
— US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) September 22, 2023
One allegation centers around transferring “sensitive” government information to the Egyptians as part of a scheme to secure a contract for a New Jersey-based food producer.
From the Menendez indictment:
“Menendez provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt.” pic.twitter.com/iOAciR0pHl
— John Hasson (@SonofHas) September 22, 2023
The DOJ has scheduled a press briefing to officially announce the charges at 11:00 AM eastern. Menendez currently chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It seems unlikely he’d keep that position given the charges he’s facing.
As to the political ramifications, if Menendez resigns, the Democrat governor of New Jersey would choose a replacement. An election to fill the seat would then take place during the next available general election, which would be in 2024. Republicans came within a razor’s edge of winning the gubernatorial race in New Jersey in 2021 so you might see that seat targeted now in a serious way.
This is a developing story.