Menendez guilty on all counts in corruption trial

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was found guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial Tuesday afternoon in Newark — a conviction that likely signals the ending of the political career of one of the most powerful figures in New Jersey and the country.

Menendez (D-N.J.) was convicted of 16 counts, including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent, in a salacious case that involved gold bars, luxury cars and lots of cash.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Menendez proclaimed his innocence.

“Obviously, I’m deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision,” he said. “I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal. I have never violated my public oath. I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country.”

The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud could carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison on each count, according to reports. And, while Menendez, 70, could potentially face hundreds of years in jail — should the sentences run consecutively — that is unlikely.

This much is clear: His political career is over — and perhaps sooner than November, when his run as an independent to maintain his Senate seat was the longest of longshots.

Shortly after the verdict, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Menendez needs to step down.

“In light of this guilty verdict, Sen. Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate and our country, and resign,” he said in a statement.

Menendez is only the seventh sitting U.S. senator to be convicted of a federal crime — and the first sitting senator to be charged with acting as a foreign agent.

Menendez has served as a senator from New Jersey since 2006. He went on to become one of the Senate’s most powerful members, chairing the Committee on Foreign Relations from 2013-15.

In the end, it was actions with foreign entities that led to his downfall.

Prosecutors in the case argued that Menendez used use his power to assist officials in Egypt and Qatar — receiving gold bars and other items for his efforts.

The trial was not the first Menendez faced — he was indicted on federal corruption charges in 2017, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict. In 2018, he was admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for accepting and failing to disclose gifts.

New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, co-defendants in the trial, also were found guilty.

The senator’s wife, Nadine Menendez, also faces charges. Her trial, however, has been postponed while she battles breast cancer.

Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement shortly after the conviction was announced.

“Today’s verdict finding Sen. Bob Menendez guilty on 16 counts demonstrates that the senator broke the law, violated the trust of his constituents and betrayed his oath of office. It also shows that in America, everyone — no matter how powerful — is accountable to our laws.

“Sen. Menendez received a fair trial and due process of law as he was entitled to under our Constitution. I want to thank all the public servants who play crucial roles in our criminal justice system, including our law enforcement officials, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors and judges. Their hard work ensured that these brazen crimes were proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and our nation is grateful for their service.

“I reiterate my call for Sen. Menendez to resign immediately after being found guilty of endangering national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system. If he refuses to vacate his office, I call on the U.S. Senate to vote to expel him. In the event of a vacancy, I will exercise my duty to make a temporary appointment to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve.”