Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and two of his business colleagues, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, were all on trial for federal corruption for nine weeks in Manhattan until a jury finally reached a judgment on Tuesday.
The verdict: Guilty.
The defense team for Menendez argued that the prosecution had failed to establish their case, and their client pleaded not guilty. Menendez is commonly known as “Gold Bar Bob” because of the allegations that he inappropriately took gold, cash, and luxury automobiles from three businessmen.
On Wednesday, during closing remarks, Menendez’s defense attorney, Adam Fee, stated that the prosecution had failed to prove that Senator Menendez had received any of the gold or cash as a bribe.
His argument was that the prosecution should face charges based on a lack of proof.
He continued by saying that the prosecution’s case “is overwhelmingly evident that this tale is unstable and rotten to its heart.”
Well, it looks like the jury disagreed.
There was abundant proof of corruption, according to the prosecution:
“This is a significant case,” stated [prosecutor Paul] Monteleoni. “However, it’s really a case of widespread corruption.”
Prosecutors contended that Menendez received lavish gifts from foreign countries throughout his trial by using his emails and text messages, as well as citing FBI testimony. Gold bars valued over $100,000 and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash were among the presents stashed throughout Menendez’s New Jersey residence.
Despite the impending conviction, Menendez’s political career has already taken a major blow.
There will be more pressure on the three-term senator to step down from his position in Congress following Menendez’s conviction. He has maintained his innocence and said he is a prominent Latino, but the accusations against him have further strengthened his position.
His indictment in September of last year had a negative impact on politics. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) easily defeated Menendez in the June Democratic primary; as a result, Menendez has declared his intention to run as an independent in the general election in November.
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Author: Steven Sinclaire
