Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) will resign efficient Aug. 20 following his conviction Tuesday for accepting a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} in bribes, the New Jersey Globe and the Washington Submit reported Tuesday.
Menendez’s employees was reportedly knowledgeable of the choice. In keeping with the New Jersey Globe, the senator is anticipated to publicly challenge a letter of resignation as quickly as Tuesday.
Menendez’s workplace didn’t instantly return a request for remark.
Menendez was discovered responsible of all 16 counts in opposition to him Tuesday at his federal corruption trial for accepting bribes of gold and money from a number of New Jersey businessmen. The trial additionally discovered he was appearing as a international agent for the Egyptian authorities.
In an indictment within the Southern District of New York, unsealed in September, the senator was discovered to have taken bribes together with $100,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in money in return for official acts aiding an Egyptian American businessman and the Egyptian authorities.
Screenshot/U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Southern District of New York
A search of the senator’s residence by federal brokers revealed money stashed in clothes bearing Menendez’s identify, together with gold bars elsewhere within the residence.
Investigators additionally discovered that in October 2021, the senator carried out an internet search asking “how much is one kilo of gold worth” after which later searched “kilo of gold price.”
U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace, Southern District of New York.
Menendez’s resignation will come after 44 Senate Democrats known as on him to step down or threat getting expelled.
“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign,” Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated minutes after Menendez was discovered responsible.
Hours after the bombshell indictment final yr, Menendez stepped down as chair of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee.
Menendez was beforehand indicted on bribery prices in 2015 for allegedly making an attempt to assist a health care provider accused of committing Medicare fraud. In 2017, his trial ended with a deadlocked jury.
Menendez faces as much as a long time in jail when he’s sentenced on Oct. 29.
This can be a creating story. Test again for updates.
