In a stunning conclusion to a nine-week trial, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey was found guilty on Tuesday of all charges in his federal corruption case. The 70-year-old Democrat, who has served in the Senate since 2006, was convicted of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and a luxury car, as well as acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government.

The verdict, delivered at a federal courthouse in Manhattan, marks a dramatic fall for Menendez, who until recently held the powerful position of chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The jury’s decision followed a trial that exposed a complex web of alleged corrupt activities, including efforts to protect allies from criminal investigations and enrich associates, including his wife, Nadine Menendez.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Menendez abused his office by meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and helping the country access millions of dollars in U.S. military aid. The case against the senator was bolstered by physical evidence found during a June 2022 FBI raid on the couple’s home in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Agents discovered gold bars worth nearly $150,000 and over $480,000 in cash, mostly in stacks of $100 bills, along with a Mercedes-Benz convertible in the garage.

Throughout the trial, Menendez maintained his innocence, insisting that he was merely performing his duties as a senator. His defense team argued that the gold bars belonged to his wife and that the cash stemmed from the senator’s habit of hoarding money at home, inspired by his parents’ escape from Cuba in 1951 with only hidden cash.

The most damaging allegations involved Menendez’s actions on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Prosecutors alleged that he provided sensitive information about U.S. Embassy staff in Cairo to Egyptian officials and helped draft a letter encouraging fellow senators to lift a hold on $300 million in military aid to Egypt. Text messages between Nadine Menendez and Egyptian officials were presented as evidence of the couple’s role as conduits for Egyptian interests.

Co-defendants Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, New Jersey businessmen accused of paying bribes to Menendez, were also found guilty on all charges. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, had previously pleaded guilty and testified against the others.

The conviction comes just four months before Election Day, likely ending Menendez’s political career and his plans to run for reelection as an independent candidate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Menendez’s immediate resignation in light of the verdict.

This marks the second time Menendez has faced corruption charges. A 2017 trial on unrelated allegations ended in a hung jury, allowing him to return to the Senate. However, this conviction leaves little room for political redemption.

The case has broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and the integrity of the Senate. It raises questions about the influence of foreign governments on American politicians and the effectiveness of ethical oversight in Congress.

As the legal process moves forward, attention will turn to sentencing and potential appeals. The conviction of such a high-ranking senator on charges including acting as a foreign agent is likely to reverberate through Washington and New Jersey politics for years to come.

AP