WASHINGTON
US Sen. Bob Menendez was indicted for a second time on corruption charges last week following a long-running federal investigation into his and his wife's relations with three New Jersey businessmen.
Menendez, the senior Democratic senator from New Jersey who has chaired the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is accused of accepting bribes to further the interests of the three businessmen, as well as the Egyptian government.
Bribes allegedly included cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz luxury car. They are estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Last week's indictment is the second since Menendez took office in 2006. A previous prosecution on graft charges tied to favors from a Florida doctor ended in a hung trial, and government attorneys chose not to relitigate the case.
Below is a timeline of Menendez's legal woes:
- 2006: Placed under investigation by former US Attorney for New Jersey Chris Christie on suspicion of accepting rental payments from a local nonprofit in exchange for help in securing federal grants.
- 2011: The case is closed without charges being brought.
- 2012: Insurance broker Joseph Bigica tells federal investigators he made illegal contributions to Menendez's Senate re-election campaign. Menendez donates the funds to charity. He was not accused of wrongdoing. Bigica was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax and campaign charges.
- 2015: Menendez indicted on charges of accepting lavish bribes, including campaign contributions and expensive trips, from Florida doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for using his office for Melgen's benefit. The gifts were estimated to be worth nearly $1 million.
- 2017: A New Jersey jury cannot agree on charges against Menendez, resulting in a mistrial. Prosecutors choose not to retry the longtime lawmaker.
- June 2022: Federal investigators execute search warrant at Menendez's residence, discovering over $486,000 in cash, "much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe," and gold bars worth up to $150,000.
- Sept. 22, 2023 Federal prosecutors with the Southern District of New York announce new corruption charges against Menendez, his wife, and three New Jersey businessmen. Menendez is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and extortion.
- Sept. 22, 2023 Shortly after the indictment is unsealed, Menendez faces a growing chorus of prominent politicians calling for him to resign, including from fellow Democrats, including Sen. John Fetterman, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Rep. Adam Schiff and others.
- Sept. 22, 2023 Menendez remains defiant, issuing a statement in which he says, "it is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere." He maintains his innocence.
- Sept. 22, 2023 Menendez temporarily relinquishes his position as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman in wake of indictment.
- Sept. 25, 2023 "I firmly believe that with all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be the New Jersey's senior senator," Menendez tells reporters.
