(TargetLiberty.org) – On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not call for the resignation of Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., following his recent federal indictment on bribery charges. Many other Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have called for Menendez to resign from his seat.
Schumer stated that he had known Menendez for years and that the situation was upsetting. He added that they all know that Senators need to uphold a higher standard, and from the indictment, it becomes clear that Menendez had not done so.
On Wednesday, both Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom where they pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Menendez’s bond was set at $100,000 while his wife was at $250,000. The couple was able to secure their home in order to be released.
The three others who are also co-defendants in this case pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The Department of Justice has noted that the Menendez couple along with the three other men had been part of a scheme where the businessmen were paying for protection from the Senator through cash, luxury vehicles, and gold bars.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams points out that the case states that from 2018 to 2022, Menendez had been part of a corrupt relationship with Fred Daibes, Wael Hana, and Jose Uribe, who paid him thousands of dollars in exchange for access to his influence and power. This scheme enriched the businessmen while also being beneficial to the Egyptian government. The press release which was put out on September 22 also notes that Williams’ office was committed to combating corruption without engaging or considering partisan politics.
Over half of the Senate Democrats, including the No-2 Democrat, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have pushed for Menendez to step down.
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