Sen. Bob Menendez was in federal court Monday to enter a not guilty plea to the latest charge against him. New Jersey’s senior senator is accused of conspiring to act as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. Menendez’s co-defendants — including his wife, Nadine — pleaded not guilty to that superseding indictment last week. Arraignment of the senator had been postponed because it conflicted with official business in Washington.
The indictment charges Menendez met with Egyptian officials who wanted his help to restore the flow of military aid to Egypt that had been blocked by Congress.
Prosecution is not a slam-dunk, according to Stanley Brand, professor of law of Pennsylvania State University.
Prosecutors allege that Menendez “further promised to take and took a series of acts on behalf of Egypt, including on behalf of Egyptian military and intelligence officials.” But, says Brand, prosecutors must prove Menendez did something criminal — that he exerted so much official pressure, it qualifies as a “formal exercise of governmental power.”
Menendez stepped down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month after he and his wife were accused of taking bribes — including cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz — in return for the senator’s influence.
Menendez has vowed to fight the charges, and he refused to resign, stating, “I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America.” More than half of the Democratic caucus, including New Jersey colleague Sen. Cory Booker, have urged the beleaguered senator to give up his seat.
In a statement received after this item was broadcast, Sen. Menendez said, “The government’s latest charge flies in the face of my long record of standing up for human rights and democracy in Egypt and in challenging leaders of that country, including President El-Sisi on these issues. Anyone who knows my record, knows this latest charge is as outrageous as it is absurd.
“I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom.
“The facts haven’t changed. The government is engaged in primitive hunting, by which the predator chases its prey until it’s exhausted and then kills it. This tactic won’t work.“I will not litigate this case through the press, but have made it abundantly clear that I have done nothing wrong and once all the facts are presented will be found innocent.”
— Editor’s note: This report was updated to include the statement by Sen. Menendez.
