New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez (D) and his wife have been indicted on corruption-related charges. This marks the second time in 10 years that Senator Menendez gets indicted. As Menendez faces a reelection bid, calls for his resignation are now beginning to mount.
Senator Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, have been indicted on bribery offenses that are reported to be “in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen.”
Menendez, who is the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife are facing an investigation that focuses on gold bars, a luxury car, and an apartment that they allegedly received.
Senate hopeful, Shirley Maia-Cusick (R), who’s challenging Menendez, has now called on Sen. Menendez to resign after the indictment from the Department of Justice.
“The moment everyone in New Jersey knew was coming is finally here: Bob Menendez was indicted on federal bribery charges by the Department of Justice,” she said, calling his “corrupt behavior” a “betrayal of the interests of our country.”
“New Jersey’s decent, hardworking people deserve better from their elected representative,” she said, adding that “it is time for justice to be served and for Menendez to no longer disgrace the office he holds.”
Maia-Cusick then called on Menendez to immediately resign.
Menendez has had a controversial history with allegations of corruption. Despite this, he has won his reelection bids.
In 2015, Menendez was charged with bribery, fraud, and making false statements in connection to reports that surfaced in 2013. A federal grand jury in Miami had been investigating Menendez’s alleged role in advocating for the business interests of Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, who was a donor and close friend of Menendez’s.
The indictment Menendez and his wife are currently facing accusations that they receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using his power and influence to seek protection and enriching the businessmen.
