Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife Nadine Menendez were charged with obstruction of justice crimes in an indictment unsealed Tuesday.

The indictment adds to prior bribery charges against the couple.

The New Jersey Democrat and his wife face allegations of accepting gold bars, cash, and a luxury car in exchange for the senator utilizing his power and influence to benefit three businessmen.

From the Associated Press:

An indictment already alleges that the couple conspired with three businessmen to accept the bribes in return for the senator’s help with their projects. Both have pleaded not guilty, along with two of the businessmen. A May trial has been scheduled.

One businessman pleaded guilty to charges last week and agreed to testify at trial against the others.

ADVERTISEMENT

After his arrest last fall, Menendez, 70, was forced to relinquish his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but said he would not resign from Congress.

According to an indictment, Menendez and his wife accepted gold bars and cash from a real estate developer in return for the senator using his clout to get that businessman a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund.

Menendez also was charged with helping another New Jersey business associate get a lucrative deal with the government of Egypt.

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez indicted on 12 new criminal charges linked to bribery scheme with Egypt and Qatar governments.

Charges filed shortly after one of the New Jersey businessmen indicted with Menendez and others agreed to plead guilty and cooperate.

New charges include conspiracy, obstruction of justice, bribery, extortion, and wire fraud.

Allegations involve Menendez acting as a foreign agent.

“Jose Uribe, of Clifton, New Jersey, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery from 2018 to 2023, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice and tax evasion,” the Associated Press noted.

Per Axios:

Last October, Bob Menendez was charged with conspiring to act as a foreign agent for Egypt.

ADVERTISEMENT

He faced new allegations in January alleging that he took bribes in exchange for helping the government of Qatar.

The 70-year-old senator and his wife have denied any wrongdoing.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.