Senator Bob Menendez, his wife, and two business associates entered pleas of not guilty in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, facing charges of bribery and extortion. Menendez, a Democrat representing New Jersey, was accompanied by U.S. Marshals as he sat at the defense table, distinct from his wife Nadine, who had her own legal representation. Menendez, dressed in a gray pinstriped suit, maintained a composed demeanor as he pled not guilty. He was released on $100,000 bond with specific conditions.
The court ordered that Menendez refrain from any contact with his co-defendants except his wife. Additionally, he was instructed not to have contact with Senate staff members who possess personal knowledge of the case’s facts unless accompanied by legal counsel. Furthermore, Menendez must surrender his personal passport and can only embark on foreign trips in connection with official Senate business.
Nadine Menendez was released on $250,000 bond, secured by her residence in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Her travel is limited to the New York-Washington corridor or visits to family in Florida.
Menendez had previously declared his innocence in vehement statements and public remarks. However, the courtroom plea marked the formal beginning of his legal defense. Menendez explained that the substantial sums of cash discovered in his jacket, closet, and other parts of his home were legitimate withdrawals from his savings account, describing it as a precaution due to concerns rooted in the experiences of a Cuban immigrant’s son fearing confiscation.
Notably, Menendez did not directly address the allegations of receiving gold bars and other forms of bribery as asserted by federal prosecutors. These allegations suggest that Menendez used his political influence on behalf of three associates, including Wael Hana, who was arrested and appeared in court on Tuesday.
Hana is accused of providing financial incentives to Menendez, which included granting a no-show job to the senator’s wife. This arrangement was allegedly made to ensure Hana’s exclusive contract to supply halal meat to Egypt remained lucrative.
The other two businessmen implicated in the case, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe, are alleged to have compensated Menendez in exchange for his assistance in separate criminal cases they were facing. However, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams clarified in his announcement of the charges that neither the New Jersey Attorney General’s office nor the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey yielded to the pressure that Menendez is alleged to have exerted.
Despite the legal turmoil, Menendez announced his determination to remain in office on Monday, rejecting calls for his resignation. He delivered this defiant message during his first public remarks since his indictment on September 22, at Union Station in New Jersey, where he began his political career four decades ago. Menendez did not entertain questions from the press during this address.
In response to his indictment, Senator Menendez temporarily stepped down from his influential role as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as announced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Senate Democratic caucus rules dictate that any member charged with a felony must relinquish any leadership positions.
Senator Bob Menendez has served in the Senate since 2006 and is up for re-election next year, further adding a layer of complexity to this ongoing legal and political saga.