U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was found guilty on all 16 counts at his federal trial that included bribery and acting as foreign agent to Egypt, prompting several prominent fellow electeds calling for him to step down immediately.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The verdict came on the third day of deliberations after a roughly nine-week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Sidney H. Stein in Manhattan federal court.
Prosecutors alleged he accepted gold bars, cash, and a new car in exchange for intervening in matters for his co-defendants, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana – who were also found guilty on all counts.
Menendez was also accused of trying to help facilitate a development deal between the Qatar government and Daibes in exchange for bribes from the New Jersey developer.
“I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal. I have never violated my public oath,” Menendez told reporters after the verdict, as the New Jersey Monitor first reported.
“I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country. I have never, ever been a foreign agent.”
The wife of New Jersey’s senior senator, Nadine Menendez, had her trial postponed due to a breast cancer diagnosis that will require surgery.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor and longtime political rival of Senator Menendez since he unsuccessfully ran against him for Congress in 2004, pulled no punches when asked about today’s verdict.
“While our judicial system has made it more and more difficult to hold corrupt politicians accountable in recent years, today’s guilty verdict is a strong statement that reaffirms trust and the credit goes to the Southern District for being undaunted in their prosecution,” he told HCV.
“As we turn the page now, Bob Menendez‘s legacy is cemented as a permanent embarrassment to New Jersey as one of the most corrupt elected officials to ever serve in a state that has unfortunately had its share of bad actors. Menendez should resign today and allow us all to move forward.”
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who lost to U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8), the senator’s son, by about 15 points in the House primary last month, agreed that it’s long past due for Menendez to step aside.
“Now that a jury of his peers has finally confirmed what we’ve all known for months – that Robert Menendez is nothing short of a corrupt agent of a foreign government, shamelessly pocketing bribes to enrich himself – it is absolutely critical that he resign, today. If he does not, the US Senate should immediately expel him,” he said in a statement.
Gov. Phil Murphy (D), whose wife Tammy Murphy ran in the Senate primary before dropping out just before the filing deadline in March, echoed that sentiment as well.
“ … Senator Menendez received a fair trial and due process of law as he was entitled to under our Constitution. I want to thank all the public servants who play crucial roles in our criminal justice system, including our law enforcement officials, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors, and judges,” he said.
“Their hard work ensured that these brazen crimes were proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and our nation is grateful for their service. I reiterate my call for Senator Menendez to resign immediately after being found guilty of endangering national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system. If he refuses to vacate his office, I call on the U.S. Senate to vote to expel him.”
He also said that he would not hesitate to appoint a senator in the event of a vacancy (he has previously said he would not appoint his wife if the seat is vacated).
Finally, Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon said this could be a turning point in Hudson County politics, also calling for Senator Menendez to step aside right away.
“Bob Menendez has been found guilty on all counts in his corruption trial, confirming his betrayal of our state and his voters. Let us use his conviction to turn the page on the tired, broken transactional politics Menendez perfected in Hudson County,” his statement reads.
“The people of New Jersey deserve better – and Rep. Kim’s successful primary against Menendez shows us the path forward. Mr. Menendez must resign immediately. If he does not do the right thing, the Senate should expel him. There’s no room for this behavior in our government – at any level.”
John , any clue if Bobby will be getting his gold bars and $500K in cash back ? I think he can keep the old Benz ?
Dear Egypt, Please Call Hoboken City Hall for all your Halal and Gold Bar needs