Senator Bob Menendez enters a plea of not guilty for the most recent federal charges of corruption.
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has entered a plea of not guilty to the most recent federal corruption charges against him at 01:59.
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez returned to federal court in Lower Manhattan on Monday afternoon following an update to the indictment against him, which included an extra charge.
Upon entering the court, Menendez remained silent. The individual, aged 69, then proceeded to stand and respond to the judge’s inquiries, stating that he pleaded “not guilty, your honor.”
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Senator Chuck Schumer has engaged in “significant conversations” with Senator Bob Menendez regarding federal accusations.
The individuals are being charged with plotting to use Sen. Menendez as a representative of the Egyptian government during his time as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senator Menendez has resigned from his position as leader of the committee.
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The attorney general’s office in New Jersey is investigating a fatal car accident from 2018 that involved Nadine Menendez, the spouse of Senator Bob Menendez.
Last week, Nadine Menendez and Hana both pleaded not guilty to the amended charges. However, Senator Menendez was given permission to postpone his arraignment because of his responsibilities in the Senate.
He has been accused of transferring confidential and extremely delicate details about the personnel at the American Embassy in Cairo to the Egyptians. The information was supposedly sent via text message by Nadine Menendez to Hana, who then forwarded it to a government official in Egypt.
Senator Menendez has been accused of writing a letter for Egypt and persuading other American senators to back US aid for Egypt.
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Senator Bob Menendez is currently in a crucial meeting with other members of the senate who belong to the Democratic party.
According to prosecutors, the senator and his spouse were given bribes by three individuals from New Jersey, including gold bars, money, and a high-end vehicle, in return for carrying out official duties.
of New Jersey was charged with accepting bribes and engaging in a pay-to-play scheme involving a wealthy donor
In the previous month, Senator Menendez from New Jersey was accused of receiving bribes and participating in a pay-to-play plot with a wealthy donor.
The individual entered a plea of not guilty for federal charges of bribery and other offenses and was subsequently released on bond in the amount of $100,000..
The remaining accused individuals also entered a plea of not guilty.
As he exited the court on Monday afternoon, Senator Menendez remained silent as reporters posed inquiries.
Although, the senator eventually issued a statement to CBS New York, declaring:
The government’s most recent accusation contradicts my extensive history of advocating for human rights and democracy in Egypt, and confronting its leaders, including President El-Sisi, on these matters. Those familiar with my track record are aware that this accusation is both outrageous and nonsensical.
”
Throughout my lifetime, I have remained devoted to a single nation – the United States of America. This is the country that my family selected as our home, where democracy and liberty thrive.
“The situation remains unchanged. The government is currently practicing primitive hunting methods, in which the predator exhausts its prey before ultimately killing it. This strategy is not likely to be successful.”
I will not handle this case publicly, but I have clearly stated that I am innocent and will be proven so once all evidence is presented.
Over 30 members of the Democratic party have urged Senator Menendez to step down from his position. However, he maintains his claim of innocence.
The most recent charges carry a possible punishment of five years of imprisonment. According to federal law, Senator Menendez is not allowed to act as a foreign agent due to his position as a government official.
Alice Gainer
Source: cbsnews.com