(UnitedVoice.com) – Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), 70, was finally convicted of federal corruption charges. The senator previously beat similar charges against him during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Rumors swirled that he would soon resign from office, but then the senator pushed back on those claims.
On July 16, a federal jury convicted Senator Menendez on 16 of the 18 charges against him, including conspiracy to commit extortion, bribery, and extortion. US Attorney Damian Williams said the senator was conducting “politics for profit,” and the conviction means the lawmaker’s “years of selling his office to the highest bidder have finally come to an end.”
Reports indicated Williams was right and the senator was going to resign from his position. He allegedly called his allies and notified them that he intended to step down. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) demanded the New Jersey lawmaker “do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and [America], and resign.”
Shortly after news organizations published the reports that Menendez was going to resign, he responded to the claims. The senator said that he has “not resigned” and he hasn’t “spoken to any so-called allies.” Menendez claimed the reports are an effort to force him “into a statement,” and everyone who knows him knows “that’s the worst way to achieve a goal with” him.
Menendez has denied the charges that he used his position to benefit foreign governments in exchange for cash, gold bars, and other luxury items. He said that he was going to appeal his convictions. A federal judge has scheduled the senator’s sentencing for October 29.
There’s a possibility that he could go to prison and be unable to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2025. He’s running for reelection as an Independent, but voting will take place about a week after he’s sentenced. Congress could choose to expel him before then.
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