- Resignation and Conviction: New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez resigned from the US Senate after being convicted on multiple bribery charges, including accepting gold bars and a luxury car to assist foreign governments. He plans to appeal the conviction.
- Temporary Replacement: Governor Phil Murphy is expected to appoint George Samir Helmy, his former chief of staff, to temporarily fill Menendez’s Senate seat until a replacement is elected in November.
- Legal Defense: Menendez has filed a motion to overturn his conviction, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that the ruling could set a dangerous legal precedent. His defense also attempted to shift blame onto his wife, who faces related charges.
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez officially resigned from the US Senate on Tuesday following his conviction on multiple bribery charges in July. The 70-year-old Democrat, who has maintained his innocence and vowed to appeal, was found guilty on 16 counts related to a scheme in which he accepted bribes, including gold bars and a luxury car, to assist the Qatari and Egyptian governments. His sentencing is scheduled for October, where he could face a lengthy prison term.
Menendez initially resisted calls to step down and kept his name on the ballot for re-election in November until last week. However, in a resignation letter to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, he announced his decision to step down to avoid distracting the Senate from its work.
Governor Murphy is expected to appoint George Samir Helmy, his former chief of staff and a close ally, to temporarily fill the Senate seat until a replacement is elected in November.
On Monday, Menendez filed a motion requesting a federal judge to overturn his conviction, arguing that the evidence against him was insufficient and that the convictions could set a dangerous legal precedent.
Menendez, who first entered Congress in 1993 and was appointed to the Senate in 2006, faced a nine-week trial where prosecutors presented evidence of over $480,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold bars found in his home. His defense argued that the gifts did not constitute bribes, and attempted to shift blame onto his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, who is also facing bribery charges. Her trial was postponed due to her undergoing breast cancer treatment. New Jersey Senator resignation.
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