Senator Menendez of New Jersey Arraigned on Federal Charges for the Second Time in Eight Years
Wednesday morning saw the arrival of Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey at a Manhattan federal courthouse, where he was scheduled to be arraigned on federal charges for the second time in eight years. Prosecutors have accused the Democratic senator of using his political influence to aid the government of Egypt and three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for significant sums of money, gold bullion, and even a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
Accompanied by his wife, Nadine, Senator Menendez pushed through a swarm of journalists and entered the courthouse without answering any questions. Amidst the chaotic scene, a lone protester shouted for his resignation. Nadine Menendez, the senator’s wife of three years, is also expected to be arraigned alongside her husband, as she has been charged with participating in the elaborate bribery scheme.
One of the businessmen involved in the case, Wael Hana, voluntarily traveled from Egypt to the United States, where he was promptly arrested at Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday morning. Hana’s lawyer informed reporters that his client pleaded not guilty to the charges and was later released on a $5 million personal recognizance bond after surrendering his passport.
The conspiracy alleged by prosecutors in court depicted a wide-reaching web of corruption that even surprised one of Senator Menendez’s closest allies, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey. Booker described the allegations as both shocking and disturbing. Despite growing pressure from top Democrats, including Governor Philip D. Murphy and Senator Booker, Senator Menendez has steadfastly rejected calls for his resignation.
Two of Wael Hana’s associates, Fred Daibes, a prominent real estate developer and Menendez’s fundraiser, and Jose Uribe, a trucking industry worker, are also expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
The indictment outlines a scheme in which the three businessmen made payments to Senator Menendez and his wife in exchange for the senator’s assistance in directing federal aid and weapon sales to Egypt. Additionally, prosecutors claim that this arrangement benefited Hana’s halal meat business, which eventually secured a contract to be the sole entity permitted by Egypt to certify imported food products prepared according to Islamic law. According to prosecutors, Hana used his company to funnel bribes to the Menendezes.
Text messages presented in the indictment reveal Ms. Menendez’s excitement as she mentions the success of the halal meat business, stating, “Seems like halal went through. It might be a fantastic 2019 all the way around.”
The indictment further alleges that when a high-ranking official from the U.S. Department of Agriculture expressed concerns about the potential monopoly and its impact on food costs in Egypt and the U.S. markets, Senator Menendez attempted to silence the official.
During a search of the couple’s residence in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and a safe deposit box registered under Ms. Menendez’s name in June 2022, investigators discovered $550,000 in cash, 13 bars of gold bullion, and a Mercedes. These findings contributed to the charges brought forth against Senator Menendez and his wife.
The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecutors from the Southern District of New York. While much of the alleged activity occurred in New Jersey, prosecutors emphasized that some events, such as a dinner meeting and gold sales in Manhattan, as well as the use of a bank account opened in the Bronx, fell within the jurisdiction of the Southern District.
In a statement, Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District, affirmed the commitment of his office to combating corruption, irrespective of partisan politics.
It is worth noting that Senator Menendez faced similar charges in 2015, unrelated to the current allegations. Following a nine-week federal trial in Newark, the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision, leading to the dismissal of the most serious charges. The Justice Department declined to retry Menendez in January 2018.
The corruption scheme outlined in the recent 39-page indictment is said to have begun the month after the senator’s previous trial concluded. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds.
Lola Fadulu, Michael D. Regan, and Wes Parnell contributed to this report.