US Senator Menendez has already been indicted. He is said to have exerted influence on behalf of Egypt – and received a lot of money for it. The Democrat is now accused of having concluded illegal deals with Qatar.
Investigators have made further allegations in the corruption indictment against US Senator Bob Menendez. In an expanded indictment, prosecutors accuse the Democrat of accepting bribes and luxury items to use his political influence not only for the government of Egypt, but also of Qatar.
Among other things, this involved supporting millions in investments by a fund with connections to the Qatari government. The public prosecutor had previously accused the senator from the state of New Jersey of influencing political decision-making processes in the interests of the Egyptian government and of obtaining personal benefits in return.
Trial begins in May
Now Menendez is also accused of helping a businessman, in return for a bribe, secure millions in investments from a fund linked to the Gulf Emirate. Accordingly, the now 70-year-old – together with his wife – is said to have accepted “hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes”.
In return, he behaved in a way that was “beneficial” to Qatar, the indictment continued. Menendez is said to have introduced the US businessman to a member of the Qatari ruling family, who also headed the investment fund in question. The businessman involved in the case is also charged and has pleaded not guilty in the case. The trial was scheduled to begin on May 6th.
Menendez was first indicted on corruption charges in September. He has been accused for months of having worked as an unregistered “foreign agent” for Egypt in exchange for bribes and of having, among other things, favored Egyptian military and secret service representatives. Investigators found around $500,000 (around 469,000 euros) in cash from Menendez – hidden in envelopes and in his jackets, the public prosecutor’s office said. There was also talk of a “lot of gold”.
Resignation demands rejected, Committee Chair rests
The indictment alleged, among other things, that Menendez and his wife accepted bribes from businessmen and worked on behalf of the Egyptian government. The allegations had already been expanded and supplemented once before.
He had pleaded not guilty to the first version of the indictment, as had his wife and two business partners. However, various Democratic senators called on him to resign in light of the allegations. Menendez has so far refused to do so. However, US President Joe Biden’s party colleague is resigning from his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. If convicted, he could face a long prison sentence.