Outrage Unfolds: Bob Menendez’s Shocking Entitlement in Bribery Scandal Exposed by US Authorities
US Senator Bob Menendez Showed ‘Entitlement’ in Taking Bribes, Prosecutor Argues
US Senator Bob Menendez exhibited a sense of "entitlement" as he accepted bribes, including cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes Benz, while promising to aid businessmen and the Egyptian government, a prosecutor told jurors at his corruption trial on Tuesday. Assistant US Attorney Paul Monteleoni described Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, as the orchestrator of elaborate schemes that enriched both him and his wife, Nadine. Nadine Menendez facilitated interactions with co-defendants Wael Hana and Fred Daibes.
Monteleoni argued that Menendez meticulously covered his tracks while taking bribes over several years. He claimed Menendez leveraged his power to assist those who paid him, all while attempting to defer blame to his wife and staff. The prosecutor presented evidence, including texts, emails, calls, and bank records, asserting that Menendez committed multiple crimes. These included securing US military aid and sensitive information for Egypt, protecting an Egyptian monopoly arranged by Hana, influencing a federal indictment in New Jersey against Daibes, and swaying criminal probes in favor of another businessman, Jose Uribe.
Despite the serious accusations, Menendez’s defense attorneys insisted that he never took bribes or acted as an agent for Egypt, arguing the gifts were directed at his wife without his knowledge. They contested the prosecution’s evidence as insufficient and claimed Menendez’s actions were lawful and beneficial to his constituents.
Menendez has faced significant political fallout following his indictment last September and plans on running as an independent in the upcoming election. The case, US v. Menendez, 23-cr-490, continues in Manhattan federal court, with Nadine Menendez to be tried separately.
The trial has revealed extensive details, including FBI evidence tracing $82,500 to Daibes through fingerprint analysis and the sale of gold bars by Nadine Menendez. The prosecution and defense presented their arguments over the past two days, emphasizing the varying credibility and intentions behind Menendez’s actions.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/world/bob-menendez-showed-entitlement-in-seeking-out-bribes-us-says-11720551505426.html
Category :
Tags:
