<p>US Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat, resigned on Tuesday (July 23) after he was convicted on multiple corruption charges, including bribery and acting as an agent of Egyptian&nbsp;government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The resignation came amidst mounting pressure from fellow Democrats. Many prominent Democrats, including Governor Murphy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, had called for his resignation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-rejects-leftist-coalitions-pm-proposal-to-maintain-government-during-paris-olympics-743657">Macron rejects leftist coalition's PM proposal, to maintain government during Paris Olympics</a></strong></p>

<p>In a letter, Menendez, as reported by Reuters, said, "I will be resigning from my office as the United States Senator from New Jersey, effective on the close of business on Aug. 20, 2024."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that he intends to appeal the jury's verdict, "all the way and including to the Supreme Court". However, he added that he did not want the "Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work".</p>

<p>The decision to step down comes as Menendez was running as an independent for another six-year term in the Senate, a race he is now unlikely to win.</p>

<h2><strong>Who will replace him?</strong></h2>

<p>New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, will appoint a temporary replacement for Menendez.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With Menendez's resignation, the party's majority in the Senate will temporarily reduce — until the replacement is sworn in — to 50-49.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Murphy has yet to provide details on when he will make the appointment.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-makes-1st-public-appearance-after-exiting-us-elections-to-address-america-from-oval-office-at-this-time-743678">Biden makes 1st public appearance after exiting US elections, to address America from Oval Office at THIS time</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Bob Menendez's conviction</strong></h2>

<p>70-Year-Old Menendez was found guilty on July 16 by a jury in Manhattan federal court on all 16 criminal counts he faced. This included charges of obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and extortion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He has served New Jersey in the Senate since 2006 and was a significant voice on American foreign relations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Menendez's sentencing is scheduled for October 29, just a week before the November 5 election.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat, resigned on Tuesday (July 23) after he was convicted on multiple corruption charges, including bribery and acting as an agent of Egyptian government.

US Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat, resigned on Tuesday (July 23) after he was convicted on multiple corruption charges, including bribery and acting as an agent of Egyptian government. The resignation came amidst mounting pressure from fellow Democrats. Many prominent Democrats, including Governor Murphy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, had called for his resignation. Also read | Macron rejects leftist coalition's PM proposal, to maintain government during Paris Olympics In a letter, Menendez, as reported by Reuters, said, "I will be resigning from my office as the United States Senator from New Jersey, effective on the close of business on Aug. 20, 2024." He said that he intends to appeal the jury's verdict, "all the way and including to the Supreme Court". However, he added that he did not want the "Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work". The decision to step down comes as Menendez was running as an independent for another six-year term in the Senate, a race he is now unlikely to win. Who will replace him? New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, will appoint a temporary replacement for Menendez. With Menendez's resignation, the party's majority in the Senate will temporarily reduce — until the replacement is sworn in — to 50-49. Murphy has yet to provide details on when he will make the appointment. Also read | Biden makes 1st public appearance after exiting US elections, to address America from Oval Office at THIS time Bob Menendez's conviction 70-Year-Old Menendez was found guilty on July 16 by a jury in Manhattan federal court on all 16 criminal counts he faced. This included charges of obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and extortion. He has served New Jersey in the Senate since 2006 and was a significant voice on American foreign relations. Menendez's sentencing is scheduled for October 29, just a week before the November 5 election. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Bob Menendez? US senator who resigned after conviction on corruption charges

<p>US prosecutors unveiled new criminal charges against Senator Robert Menendez on Tuesday, alleging he took bribes to help a businessman secure investment from a fund with ties to Qatar's government.</p>

<p>Senator Menendez already faces corruption-related charges in the same case, which he has denied, including conspiring to act as an agent of Egypt and taking bribes and influence peddling for Cairo.</p>

<p>Menendez has rejected calls for his resignation, but in September relinquished his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.</p>

<p>Menendez allegedly received bribes to assist a businessman, Fred Daibes, who was "seeking millions of dollars in investment from a fund with ties to... Qatar by performing acts" beneficial to Doha, according to the indictment.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | US: Former President Trump challenges 'arbitrary removal', appeals Maine election disqualification</strong></p>

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<p>It said Menendez had introduced Daibes to a member of the Qatari royal family who was also a principal of the unnamed Qatari investment company.</p>

<p>"Menendez made multiple public statements supporting the government of Qatar" while the company was considering investments into a real estate development owned by Daibes, the indictment said.</p>

<p>Daibes is also charged in the case and has pleaded not guilty, with the trial set for May 6.</p>

<p>In the Egypt-related charges, Mendendez has been accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three New Jersey residents between 2018 and 2022, and of having used his "power and influence to protect, to enrich those businessmen and to benefit the government of Egypt."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/days-after-trump-verdict-gunman-breaks-into-colorado-supreme-court-building-676095">Days after Trump verdict, gunman breaks into Colorado Supreme Court building</a></strong></p>

<p>Tuesday's superseding indictment said that agents had found over $480,000 in cash stuffed into envelopes "and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe" during a search of Menendez's home.</p>

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<p>Some of the cash was found in jackets emblazoned with Menendez's name.</p>

<p>The 70-year-old veteran Democrat, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Cuba, has previously denied that he had committed any crimes.</p>


US prosecutors unveiled new criminal charges against Senator Robert Menendez on Tuesday, alleging he took bribes to help a businessman secure investment from a fund with ties to Qatar's government.

US prosecutors unveiled new criminal charges against Senator Robert Menendez on Tuesday, alleging he took bribes to help a businessman secure investment from a fund with ties to Qatar's government. Senator Menendez already faces corruption-related charges in the same case, which he has denied, including conspiring to act as an agent of Egypt and taking bribes and influence peddling for Cairo. Menendez has rejected calls for his resignation, but in September relinquished his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez allegedly received bribes to assist a businessman, Fred Daibes, who was "seeking millions of dollars in investment from a fund with ties to... Qatar by performing acts" beneficial to Doha, according to the indictment. Watch | US: Former President Trump challenges 'arbitrary removal', appeals Maine election disqualification × It said Menendez had introduced Daibes to a member of the Qatari royal family who was also a principal of the unnamed Qatari investment company. "Menendez made multiple public statements supporting the government of Qatar" while the company was considering investments into a real estate development owned by Daibes, the indictment said. Daibes is also charged in the case and has pleaded not guilty, with the trial set for May 6. In the Egypt-related charges, Mendendez has been accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three New Jersey residents between 2018 and 2022, and of having used his "power and influence to protect, to enrich those businessmen and to benefit the government of Egypt." Also Read | Days after Trump verdict, gunman breaks into Colorado Supreme Court building Tuesday's superseding indictment said that agents had found over $480,000 in cash stuffed into envelopes "and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe" during a search of Menendez's home. Also Read | Man dies inside jet engine of aircraft at Salt Lake City International Airport Some of the cash was found in jackets emblazoned with Menendez's name. The 70-year-old veteran Democrat, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Cuba, has previously denied that he had committed any crimes.

US senator Bob Menendez faces new corruption charges involving bribes and Qatar deal

<p>US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been accused of conspiring to act as an agent of the Egyptian government. The accusations have been topped by calls for the resignation of the prominent Democrat from within the Democratic Party.</p>

<p>On Thursday (Oct 12), the US federal prosecutors formalised the charge against Menendez and his wife, alleging that they conspired to have the senator act as a foreign agent of Egypt.</p>

<h2><strong>Bob Menendez an Egyptian agent in the US? What is the row all about?</strong></h2>

<p>The charges centre on Menendez's violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which mandates the registration of individuals acting on behalf of foreign entities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The alleged conspiracy occurred from January 2018 to June 2022, with Menendez accused of taking actions on behalf of Egypt, including its military and intelligence officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US: Democrat Senator Bob Menendez charged for corruption</strong></p>

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<p>The indictment also implicates Menendez's wife, Nadine, and a business associate, Wael Hana, and accuses them to have conveyed directives from Egyptian officials.</p>

<p>Calls for Menendez's resignation grew after this superseding indictment, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania advocating for his expulsion, citing concerns about an alleged foreign agent serving in the US Senate.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What next?</strong></h2>

<p>An actual vote for Menendez's expulsion from the US Senate appears unlikely at this stage, given that the case had not yet proceeded to&nbsp;trial.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer refrained from calling for Menendez's resignation and remained silent on the new charges, Associated Press reported.</p>

<h2><strong>Senator Menendez's track record under&nbsp;spotlight</strong></h2>

<p>This latest charge followed previous accusations that Menendez and his wife accepted bribes including cash, gold bars&nbsp;and a luxury car&nbsp;from New Jersey businessmen who sought to leverage the senator's influence in foreign affairs.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/court-indicts-senator-bob-menendez-and-his-wife-on-bribery-charges-638687">US: Court indicts Senator Bob Menendez and his wife on bribery charges</a></strong></p>

<p>Menendez, who once chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was accused of secretly aiding Egyptian officials by ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators, encouraging the release of $300 million in aid to Egypt. He quit the chairmanship after the earlier indictment.</p>

<h2><strong>How indictment attempts to establish Menendez's purported links with Egypt</strong></h2>

<p>The indictment revealed details of a meeting with an Egyptian intelligence official in Menendez's Senate office, where discussions about a US citizen injured in a 2015 Egyptian military airstrike took place. Some members of Congress had raised concerns about awarding military aid to Egypt in light of this incident.</p>

<p>Following the meeting, prosecutors allege, Menendez searched the name of the injured American.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One week later, the Egyptian official texted Menendez's business associate Wael Hana in Arabic that, if Menendez helped resolve the issue, "he will sit very comfortably."&nbsp; Hana, who is also implicated in the indictment, replied, "orders, consider it done," CNN reported.</p>

<p>Further scrutiny involved Menendez's alleged interference in two criminal cases and efforts to advocate for Egyptian interests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was claimed that he sought to increase American involvement in negotiations concerning the Nile River dam, a significant foreign policy issue for Egypt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This indictment also unveiled a series of text messages, including encrypted communications on Hana's cellphone with Egyptian military and intelligence officials, addressing various topics, including Menendez.</p>

<p>Notably, the indictment stated that Nadine Menendez began her interactions with Egyptian officials in 2018, coinciding with her relationship with the senator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both Menendez and his wife pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Hana pleaded not guilty to charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.</p>

<h2><strong>Menendez's defence</strong></h2>

<p>Menendez has defended his actions, claiming he had not engaged in anything unusual for a senator involved in foreign affairs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom," he added.</p>

<p>"Piling new charge upon new charge does not make the allegations true... I again ask people who know me and my record to give me the chance to present my defense and show my innocence."</p>

<p>Hana’s attorney Lawrence Lustberg also rejected the new allegations.</p>

<p>"The new allegation that Wael Hana was part of a plot concocted over dinner to enlist Senator Menendez as an agent of the Egyptian Government is as absurd as it is false," Lustberg said.</p>

<p>"As with the other charges in this indictment, Mr&nbsp;Hana will vigorously defend against this new and baseless allegation."</p>

<p>Amid these accusations, authorities had searched Menendez's home last year and had reportedly found over $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash, concealed in various places, including closets, clothing, and a safe.</p>

<p>In the recent years, the US Justice Department had intensified its enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The 1938 law was designed to uncover Nazi propaganda in the United States. It mandates the disclosure of individuals advocating, lobbying, or conducting public relations work on behalf of foreign governments or political entities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the new indictment revealed that Menendez himself had requested multiple investigations from 2020 to 2022, urging the US to hold former members of Congress accountable for failing to register as foreign agents.</p>

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US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been accused of conspiring to act as an agent of the Egyptian government. The accusations have been topped by calls for the resignation of the prominent Democrat from within the Democratic Party.

US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been accused of conspiring to act as an agent of the Egyptian government. The accusations have been topped by calls for the resignation of the prominent Democrat from within the Democratic Party. On Thursday (Oct 12), the US federal prosecutors formalised the charge against Menendez and his wife, alleging that they conspired to have the senator act as a foreign agent of Egypt. Bob Menendez an Egyptian agent in the US? What is the row all about? The charges centre on Menendez's violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which mandates the registration of individuals acting on behalf of foreign entities. The alleged conspiracy occurred from January 2018 to June 2022, with Menendez accused of taking actions on behalf of Egypt, including its military and intelligence officials. Also watch | US: Democrat Senator Bob Menendez charged for corruption × The indictment also implicates Menendez's wife, Nadine, and a business associate, Wael Hana, and accuses them to have conveyed directives from Egyptian officials. Calls for Menendez's resignation grew after this superseding indictment, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania advocating for his expulsion, citing concerns about an alleged foreign agent serving in the US Senate. What next? An actual vote for Menendez's expulsion from the US Senate appears unlikely at this stage, given that the case had not yet proceeded to trial. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer refrained from calling for Menendez's resignation and remained silent on the new charges, Associated Press reported. Senator Menendez's track record under spotlight This latest charge followed previous accusations that Menendez and his wife accepted bribes including cash, gold bars and a luxury car from New Jersey businessmen who sought to leverage the senator's influence in foreign affairs. Also read | US: Court indicts Senator Bob Menendez and his wife on bribery charges Menendez, who once chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was accused of secretly aiding Egyptian officials by ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators, encouraging the release of $300 million in aid to Egypt. He quit the chairmanship after the earlier indictment. How indictment attempts to establish Menendez's purported links with Egypt The indictment revealed details of a meeting with an Egyptian intelligence official in Menendez's Senate office, where discussions about a US citizen injured in a 2015 Egyptian military airstrike took place. Some members of Congress had raised concerns about awarding military aid to Egypt in light of this incident. Following the meeting, prosecutors allege, Menendez searched the name of the injured American. One week later, the Egyptian official texted Menendez's business associate Wael Hana in Arabic that, if Menendez helped resolve the issue, "he will sit very comfortably." Hana, who is also implicated in the indictment, replied, "orders, consider it done," CNN reported. Further scrutiny involved Menendez's alleged interference in two criminal cases and efforts to advocate for Egyptian interests. It was claimed that he sought to increase American involvement in negotiations concerning the Nile River dam, a significant foreign policy issue for Egypt. This indictment also unveiled a series of text messages, including encrypted communications on Hana's cellphone with Egyptian military and intelligence officials, addressing various topics, including Menendez. Notably, the indictment stated that Nadine Menendez began her interactions with Egyptian officials in 2018, coinciding with her relationship with the senator. Both Menendez and his wife pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Hana pleaded not guilty to charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery. Menendez's defence Menendez has defended his actions, claiming he had not engaged in anything unusual for a senator involved in foreign affairs. "I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom," he added. "Piling new charge upon new charge does not make the allegations true... I again ask people who know me and my record to give me the chance to present my defense and show my innocence." Hana’s attorney Lawrence Lustberg also rejected the new allegations. "The new allegation that Wael Hana was part of a plot concocted over dinner to enlist Senator Menendez as an agent of the Egyptian Government is as absurd as it is false," Lustberg said. "As with the other charges in this indictment, Mr Hana will vigorously defend against this new and baseless allegation." Amid these accusations, authorities had searched Menendez's home last year and had reportedly found over $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash, concealed in various places, including closets, clothing, and a safe. In the recent years, the US Justice Department had intensified its enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The 1938 law was designed to uncover Nazi propaganda in the United States. It mandates the disclosure of individuals advocating, lobbying, or conducting public relations work on behalf of foreign governments or political entities. Notably, the new indictment revealed that Menendez himself had requested multiple investigations from 2020 to 2022, urging the US to hold former members of Congress accountable for failing to register as foreign agents. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Egypt's agent in US Congress? All we know about Senator Bob Menendez's new indictment charges