Corruption, cars and gold bars: Bob Menendez’s charges explained

The Independent

Bob Menendez, the Democratic Senator of New Jersey is facing corruption-related charges for the second time in ten years.  Last week, Menendez and his wife Nadine were charged with three alleged crimes. The charges stem from an indictment that alleges they accepted bribes in exchange for using his political influence to benefit three businessmen, who were also charged.  In a search of the Menendez home, investigators found nearly half a million dollars in cash and gold bars.  Menendez also allegedly provided sensitive information that aided the government of Egypt.  Many politicians are now calling for Menendez’s resignation.

Transcript

00:00 Bob Menendez is a Democratic senator from New Jersey.

00:03 And for the second time in 10 years,

00:04 he's facing corruption-related charges.

00:07 Last week, Menendez and his wife, Nadine,

00:13 were charged with three alleged crimes --

00:15 conspiracy to commit bribery,

00:17 conspiracy to commit honest-service fraud,

00:19 and conspiracy to commit extortion

00:21 under color of official right.

00:23 The charges stem from an indictment

00:24 that alleges that Menendez has accepted bribes

00:27 in exchange for using his political influence

00:29 to benefit three businessmen.

00:31 The associated businessmen were also charged

00:33 with the first two counts.

00:35 Prosecutors allege Menendez received bribes

00:37 from one of the businessmen

00:39 for providing sensitive government information

00:41 that aided the government of Egypt.

00:43 In a search of their home, federal investigators

00:45 found nearly half a million dollars in cash

00:47 and more than $100,000 worth of gold bars.

00:51 Here's what he had to say about the indictment.

00:53 -For 30 years, I have withdrawn thousands of dollars in cash

00:58 from my personal savings account,

01:01 which I have kept for emergencies

01:03 and because of the history of my family

01:05 facing confiscation in Cuba.

01:07 I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented,

01:11 not only will I be exonerated,

01:13 but I still will be the New Jersey's senior senator.

01:16 -This isn't Menendez's first corruption rodeo, though.

01:19 In 2015, the senator was charged with bribery,

01:22 fraud, and making false statements

01:24 for allegedly trading political favors for luxury trips,

01:27 campaign donations, and other expensive gifts.

01:30 Both Democratic and Republican politicians

01:32 are now calling for Menendez's resignation.

01:35 -Several House Democrats, along with New Jersey's

01:47 Governor Phil Murphy,

01:48 have all called on Senator Menendez to resign.

01:52 Do you think he should resign?

01:53 -I respect their position that they are taking,

01:56 and the charges are formidable.

02:00 For that reason, it'd probably be a good idea

02:02 if he did resign.

02:04 [MUSIC PLAYING]

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