Bribery Trial of Sen. Bob Menendez Enters Crucial Phase in New York City

The bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez resumes in New York City. The New Jersey senator is accused of accepting gold and cash for using his political influence. He faces 16 charges, including acting as an Egyptian foreign agent. Menendez and two businessmen deny the charges.

The bribery trial of New Jersey Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez resumes in New York City, where a jury is expected to continue deliberations.

Menendez, 70, maintains his innocence against the 16 criminal counts. These include allegations of accepting gold and cash to aid three businessmen and the Egyptian government, as well as accusations of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.

He stands trial alongside two New Jersey businessmen, with all three pleading not guilty. The senators’ wife, Nadine, is also charged but her trial has been postponed due to breast cancer surgery. The FBI previously raided Menendez's home, discovering gold bars worth nearly $150,000 and $480,000 in cash. Menendez, hopeful the jury is carefully reviewing the evidence, plans to run for reelection as an independent. Prosecutors argue Menendez's actions show clear servitude to Egypt, while his defense claims he was performing his duties as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.