Senator Bob Menendez Accused of Accepting Bribes in Corruption Scheme
Federal prosecutors have alleged that Senator Bob Menendez accepted race car tickets and other gifts from Qatar as part of a yearslong corruption scheme. This joins Egypt as another foreign country that the New Jersey Democrat is accused of helping while in office.
The new indictment, made public on Tuesday, amends and replaces the original indictment, listing the formal charges against the senator. Among the new allegations, according to the indictment, is that Menendez accepted payments from a co-conspirator in exchange for using his influence to help obtain millions of dollars from an investment fund tied to Qatar.
The indictment also alleges that Menendez acted as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt by allegedly taking steps to help the country in exchange for one of the defendants obtaining a monopoly on a Halal export business. The senator has vigorously denied any wrongdoing.
The latest indictment alleges that Menendez introduced a New Jersey real estate developer, seeking an investment, to a member of the Qatari royal family and principal of the Qatari Investment Company. While the Qatari investment fund was weighing an investment, Menendez made multiple public statements supporting the government of Qatar, according to the indictment.
The indictment also refers to messages exchanged between Menendez and the Qatari investor, indicating the senator’s close relationship and involvement in securing benefits, including luxury watches and tickets to the Formula One Grand Prix.
Menendez, his wife, the New Jersey real estate developer, and two other New Jersey businessmen were indicted as part of the bribery scheme last year, with all pleading not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors also alleged that Menendez did not note on his financial disclosure forms the gifts from Qatar and the developer, including gold bars and race tickets.
This story has been updated with additional details as the case develops.