Sen. Bob Menendez convicted of sprawling gold bar bribery scheme
SUMMARY
New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez was found guilty of accepting bribes, including 1-kilogram gold bars, from businessmen and representatives of the Egyptian and Qatari governments. The Manhattan federal court jury delivered the verdict after a nine-week trial, revealing Menendez's actions to leverage his Senate Foreign Relations Committee position for personal gain. Menendez accepted cash, a Mercedes-Benz, and other gifts in exchange for political favors, including helping to unfreeze $300 million in military aid to Egypt and protecting a halal meat export monopoly. He faces up to 20 years in prison on charges including bribery and acting as an illegal foreign agent. Menendez claims his innocence, alleging 'racial targeting' as a prominent Latino.
