The New Jersey Democrat faces many years in jail after being convicted of taking bribes and performing as an agent for the Egyptian authorities.
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has introduced that he’ll resign subsequent month after being convicted on corruption fees, together with bribery and serving as an agent of the Egyptian authorities.
Tuesday’s choice comes as Menendez’s fellow Democrats strain him to step down or face turning into the primary politician to be expelled from the Senate since 1862.
“I will likely be resigning as U.S. Senator from the State of New Jersey, efficient after enterprise hours on August 20, 2024,” Menendez stated within the letter.
“Whereas I absolutely intend to attraction the jury’s verdict, together with all the way in which to the Supreme Court docket, I are not looking for the Senate to turn into embroiled in a prolonged course of that detracts from its vital work,” the letter added.
Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will identify a successor to Menendez, who has represented New Jersey within the Senate since 2006 and served as chairman of the influential Overseas Relations Committee till he stepped down final 12 months following the fees. took this place.
Menendez’s present six-year time period ends on January 3.
Murphy stated in a press release that he had obtained the letter however didn’t present particulars on when a choice to call Menendez’s interim successor can be finalized.
bribery scheme
Menendez, 70, was discovered responsible by a Manhattan federal court docket jury on July 16 of all 16 felony counts he confronted, together with obstruction of justice, wire fraud and racketeering, after a nine-week trial. Two co-defendants had been additionally convicted.
The case facilities on what prosecutors name a bribery scheme wherein the senator and his spouse, Nadine Menendez, accepted a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars} in money, gold bullion, vehicles and mortgages from three businessmen. In change, prosecutors say, Menendez directed billions of {dollars} in U.S. help to Egypt and tried to affect felony prosecutions of two of the businessmen.
Menendez plans to attraction and faces many years in jail.
U.S. District Decide Sidney Stein has set the politician’s sentencing for Oct. 29, per week earlier than the Nov. 5 election.
Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, who presided over the Senate ground on Tuesday, stated the Senate had obtained a replica of Menendez’s resignation letter.
Menendez’s resignation will briefly scale back the Democratic majority within the Senate to 50-49 till a Murphy appointee is sworn in for the rest of Menendez’s time period.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy Kim will run for the seat in November and is predicted to win in Democratic-leaning New Jersey.
Many Democrats have referred to as for Menendez to resign, together with Senate Majority Chief Schumer and fellow New Jersey senator Cory Booker. New Jersey Governor Murphy has urged the Senate to expel Menendez if he doesn’t resign.
That is Menendez’s second trial to finish after a jury failed to succeed in a unanimous verdict in 2017. Menendez was subsequently censured by the Senate Ethics Committee for accepting items from a rich previous buddy in change for official favors.
Menendez was first appointed to the Senate seat in 2006 after serving 13 years within the U.S. Home of Representatives. He was subsequently elected to the Senate 3 times.
Beforehand, he served within the New Jersey Legislature and as mayor.
He has been a powerful voice on U.S. overseas relations for many years, most lately advocating for extra money for Ukraine and Israel as Democratic President Joe Biden urges Congress to ship extra money to overseas allies concerned within the battle. help.
The senator’s son, U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, continues to signify a New Jersey congressional district throughout the Hudson River from New York Metropolis, just like the one his father beforehand represented.
