opinion
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) took to the Senate floor Tuesday to address corruption allegations against him. In a fiery speech, he defended himself and denied any wrongdoing.
Menendez also dragged his colleagues into the fray without naming anyone specifically, suggesting that the bribery charges center around things that are standard practice in Congress.
The Democratic senator claimed, according to Axios, that he was “accused of things that many senators do during legislative and diplomatic processes.”
“Suggesting that bringing a member into a Qatari investment company is illegal is not only legally wrong, but it poses a risk to the important work that we all do, as senators do,” Menendez said.
He added: “Under the government's theory, it would be a crime for senators to introduce themselves to businesses and voters in their state, to promote investment in their state.”
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Menendez: I'm being targeted because I'm doing what everyone else is doing
Senator Menendez was initially indicted on bribery charges in September. According to prosecutors, he and his wife allegedly received bribes that included cash, gold, luxury vehicles, vacations, mortgage payments, and other forms of compensation, in exchange for enriching several New Jersey businessmen.
A search of the senator's home turned up more than $480,000 in cash — some in envelopes stuffed in a jacket with his name on it — gold bullion and a Mercedes.
A later report indicated that at least four of the gold bars found in Menendez's home were linked to a 2013 burglary.
Menendez then received another charge in the case for allegedly conspiring to act as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt.
This was followed by a federal indictment last week alleging that he received bribes in exchange for helping the government of Qatar.
Senator Menendez gave a passionate, often emotional defense of his actions during his speech on the Senate floor.
“After 50 years of public service, this was not the way I wanted to celebrate my golden jubilee,” he said while trying to hold back his tears.
RELATED: Democratic Senator Bob Menendez charged with conspiring to act as a foreign agent for Egypt
Do many senators have gold bullion in their safe?
During his speech, Senator Menendez insisted that he had not received anything from the Qatari government, and criticized the continuing campaign launched by the prosecution to force him to resign. He said he has never violated the public trust and is completely innocent of the charges.
Menendez stressed that he always acted in the interest of the United States and its allies.
He added: “I have never violated the public's trust.” “I was a patriot of my country.”
Menendez's assertion that he “has been accused of things that many senators do” is a striking acknowledgment of the problem. It should not be a “natural” process of enriching foreign companies and entities while simultaneously enriching yourself, culminating in a stash of gold bullion in your bed. Allegedly.
Several Senate Republicans have defended Menendez amid calls from fellow Democrats to resign, noting that the New Jersey senator has the right to due process.
Menendez has long been surrounded by controversy, having escaped corruption charges thanks to a hung jury in 2017.
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