The jury in the federal corruption trial of Senator Bob Menendez (DNJ) and his business associates Fred Dibes and Wael Hana found Menendez guilty of all charges after a grueling, complicated nine-week trial in Manhattan.
Menendez has pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he accepted various bribes in exchange for assisting foreign governments. The jury deliberated for three days. If convicted of all 16 charges against Menendez, he faces more than 200 years in prison, though such a severe sentence is unlikely.
The judge scheduled the senator's sentencing for October 29.
In a statement outside the courtroom, Menendez denounced the verdict but has so far refused to step down despite overwhelming calls for him to do so. His lawyers have said they plan to appeal the ruling.
“I am deeply disappointed by this decision,” Menendez said, insisting that he “has never violated his public oath” and “has never acted as an agent of a foreign country.”
Prosecutors held a short press conference outside the courtroom after the verdict.
“This case has always been about a shocking level of corruption. This wasn't politics as usual, this was politics for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Damien Williams of the Southern District of New York. “Years of prostitution. [Menendez’] The end of the for-profit office has finally come.”
U.S. v. Menendez: Jury selected, opening statements begin: 'Use common sense'
Lawyers for co-defendants Wael Hana and Fred Dibes deliver opening statements in the federal corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Bloomberg/Contributor)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Menendez to resign following the verdict.
“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must do the right thing for his constituents, the Senate and our country and resign,” Schumer said.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy echoed Schumer's call in his own statement.
“Senator Menendez received a fair trial and due process of law as guaranteed by our Constitution. I want to thank all of the public servants who play a vital role in our criminal justice system – law enforcement officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors and judges. Through their hard work, these brazen crimes were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The American people are grateful for their work,” Murphy said.
“I reiterate my call for Senator Menendez to resign immediately,” he added.
In five hours of closing arguments on Tuesday, federal prosecutor Paul Monteleone urged jurors to hold the New Jersey Democrat responsible for any wrongdoing.
“This is a big case,” Monteleone said, “but at the end of the day, it's a classic case of large-scale corruption.”
During the trial, prosecutors used excerpts from emails and text messages from Menendez, as well as FBI testimony, to present evidence that he had received extravagant gifts from foreign governments, totaling more than $100,000 in gold bars, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash stuffed throughout his New Jersey home.
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez indicted on bribery charges
Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, left, and his wife, Nadine Menendez, arrive at the federal courthouse in New York on Sept. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gina Moon, File)
Since pleading not guilty last year, Menendez has been indicted by federal prosecutors on 18 charges, all relating to a multi-year bribery scheme involving the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
In March, an 18-page indictment was added to existing charges against Menendez and his co-defendants, including his wife, Nadine, alleging that they used their power and influence as senators to benefit the Egyptian government by acting as foreign agents and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.
The indictment came after co-defendant Jose Uribe, who allegedly gave Nadine the Mercedes convertible, accepted a plea bargain and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. The charges also accuse Menendez of conspiracy, bribery, acting as a foreign agent, extortion and wire fraud.
U.S. v. Menendez: Democratic Senator's corruption trial begins after surprising delay
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Menendez and his associates were first indicted on Sept. 23, 2023.
Jamie Joseph is a writer covering politics. She covers the Senate for Fox News Digital.