In a statement delivered earlier today from his home state of New Jersey, Senator Bob Menendez fervently denied the federal corruption allegations recently unveiled against him. Highlighting his longstanding service in Congress, Menendez refuted claims concerning a significant sum of money discovered by the FBI at his residence, stating that the funds were purely from his personal savings.
Melendez stated:
“The allegations leveled against me are just that, allegations. For anyone who has known me throughout my 50 years of public service, they know I have always fought for what is right. My advocacy has always been grounded. And what I learned from growing up as the son of Cuban refugees, especially my mom, my hero, Evangelina Menendez. Everything I accomplished, I worked for despite the nay sayers and everyone who has underestimated me.”
“I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be New Jersey’s senior senator. The court of public opinion is no substitute for our revered justice system. We cannot set aside the presumption of innocence for political expediency when the harm is irrevocable.”
“One fact is indisputable, throughout my time in Congress, I have remained steadfast on the side of civil society and human rights defenders in Egypt, and everywhere else in the world,”
The press briefing marks Menendez’s first public response following last Friday’s federal indictment by the Southern District of New York. Alongside the senator, the indictment named his spouse, Nadine Menendez, and businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes, alleging their involvement in an extensive bribery conspiracy.
Prosecutors contend that since 2018, the trio of entrepreneurs provided a series of bribes to Menendez. These alleged gifts range from monetary payments to luxury items such as gold and a Mercedes Benz, supposedly in return for the senator’s protection and efforts to benefit both them and the Egyptian government.
