22 Sep Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, indicted on bribery charges

Senator Bob Menendez and his wife face bribery charges, accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars for the senator’s influence to benefit three New Jersey businessmen and the Egyptian government. The indictment includes conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud, and extortion. Bribes allegedly included cash, gold bars, mortgage payments, a luxury vehicle, and more. Agents found over $480,000 cash and $70,000 in Nadine Menendez’s safe deposit box during a search. A Mercedes-Benz convertible and gold bars were also found, gifts from businessmen Wael Hana and Jose Uribe in exchange for Menendez’s interference in a state prosecution and investigation. The senator will step down from the Foreign Relations Committee chair while the case proceeds. Both Menendez and his wife deny the allegations. The indictment also claims Menendez provided sensitive U.S. Government information to aid the Egyptian government. If convicted, the couple must forfeit all property derived from the alleged offenses. Menendez faced previous charges in 2015, but the case ended in a mistrial. He may be the first sitting senator with two unrelated criminal indictments.

Source: NBC News