US Senator Bob Menéndez pleaded not guilty this Wednesday to federal bribery charges in a Manhattan court, days after being accused by the Prosecutor’s Office of corruption in favor of the Egyptian Government and several businessmen.
Menéndez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey of Cuban origin, agreed to pay bail of $100,000 and hand over his personal passport, although he will be able to keep his official passport for work, the only reason he will also be able to leave the United States, local media reported.
The prosecutor’s office for the Southern District of New York accused Menéndez and his wife Nadine Arslanian last Friday of having accepted thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using their political influence to “protect and enrich businessmen and benefit the Government of Egypt.” something he denied.
Nadine also pleaded not guilty today to one count of bribery conspiracy.
The bribes that the Menéndez family allegedly received from at least 2018 to 2022 were cash, gold bars, mortgage payments, a job that required almost no presence for Nadine, and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Also charged in the case are the three businessmen who allegedly bribed Menéndez: Wael Hana, José Uribe and Fred Daibes, linked to the Government of Egypt, according to authorities.
In the search of the Menéndez residence, the FBI found hidden about $500,000 (468,847 euros) in cash, prosecutors revealed.
The senator, who has been a legislator for 30 years and is seeking re-election in 2024, has defended his innocence and has refused to resign from his seat, despite being asked to do so by notable figures in his party such as the governor of New Jersey, Phil. Murphy, or the Democratic senator from that state Cory Booker.
This is the second time in a decade that Menéndez has been accused of corruption, although the previous prosecution against him was dropped after a jury trial in which no agreement was reached on a verdict.
In 2015, Menendez was charged with 14 criminal counts related to receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in lavish gifts and campaign donations from a Florida ophthalmologist, Salomon Melgen, who was convicted of fraud and sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. prison.
