Sen. Menendez denies “salacious” bribery charges

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., on Monday said he was innocent of all federal corruption charges, resisting calls for his resignation. The senator and his wife, Nadine, were indicted Friday on bribery charges after federal investigators found hundreds of thousands of dollars and gold bars in their home. Prosecutors allege that three New Jersey businessmen bribed the couple to “protect and enrich” the businessmen and “benefit the Government of Egypt.” Menendez stepped down as chairman of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee on Friday. On Monday, he asked the public not to make judgments based on “limited” and “salacious” claims of prosecutors.

How does he explain the money and gold found? Menendez said he legally withdrew from his personal accounts over 30 years. He said the money was kept for emergencies— a family habit that “may seem old-fashioned.” The couple is due in federal court on Wednesday. It’s the second time Sen. Menendez has faced corruption charges. He was acquitted of several crimes in 2018, and authorities dropped the remaining charges.