Even a Democrat in the White House and his party’s control of the Senate couldn’t save Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) from a conviction on charges related to bribery.
After three days of deliberation, jurors returned their verdict on Tuesday.
As Fox News reported:
Menendez pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he accepted an array of bribes in exchange for helping foreign governments. Jurors deliberated for three days.
“Prosecutors have not come close to meeting their burden to show you that any of the gold or cash was given to Senator Menendez as a bribe,” Menendez’s defense attorney, Adam Fee, said in his closing statements, which began concluded last Wednesday.
“The absence of evidence should be held against the prosecution,” he said.
He added the prosecution’s evidence “is overwhelmingly clear that this story is shaky and rotten to its core.”
The social media reaction to the news was swift:
Sen. Bob Menendez just convicted of taking bribes (gold bars!) from NJ developer Fred Daibes.
I'm not surprised. I once confronted Edgewater's mayor about whether HE took bribes from Daibes: pic.twitter.com/rg8wkkqUpH
— John Stossel (@JohnStossel) July 16, 2024
Democratic Party Senator Bob Menendez has been found guilty on all 16 charges in his federal trial. Bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction. This is what a thug looks like. pic.twitter.com/Xw7gbwBFwH
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) July 16, 2024
BREAKING: Senator Bob Menendez convicted.
The Senator allegedly was bribed hundred of thousands of dollars to help the government of Egypt.
It included included gold bars, cash and a luxury convertible. pic.twitter.com/zxqZKKBHjT
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 16, 2024
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on Menendez to resign, as reported by Bloomberg:
“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign,” Schumer said in a statement emailed to reporters minutes after the conviction.
Here’s some coverage of the breaking news:
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