US Prosecutors have charged the chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, with corruption-related offenses, along with his wife.
According to reports, Mr Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian-Menendez allegedly “engaged in a corrupt relationship” with three New Jersey associates and businessmen, including with Egyptian-American businessman Wael Hana.
Federal agents searched the couple’s home and safe deposit box in June 2022 and found some of “the fruits” of their “corrupt bribery agreement”, including more than $550,000 in cash and several gold bars worth more than $100,000, according to the indictment.
The indictment also states that Ms Arslanian-Menendez worked with Mr Hana to “introduce Egyptian intelligence and military officials” to the powerful senator.
Mr Hana and his associates bribed the couple “in exchange for Menendez’s acts and breaches of duty to benefit the Government of Egypt, Hana, and others, including with respect to foreign military sales and foreign military financing”, the indictment states.
Speaking on the allegations, Mr Bob denied every charge.
On top of that, not content with making false claims against me, they have attacked my wife for the long-standing friendships she had before she and I even met,” he said.
“Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a US Senator and serve with honor and distinction.”
