US Senator Bob Menendez, who has been accused of corruption, will not participate in the Democratic primaries in New Jersey. He is accused of taking bribes and luxury goods from Egypt and Qatar.
The politician said in a video message on Thursday that he was keeping open the possibility of running again as an independent candidate. Menendez described himself as innocent and the accusations against him as false.
Luxury for political favors?
Charges were filed against Menendez last year and the trial is set to begin in May. The 70-year-old is said to have used his political influence in favor of the governments of Egypt and Qatar, accepting bribes and luxury items in return. Detectives found about 500,000 dollars (about 469,000 euros) in cash on him – according to the Public Prosecution Service, hidden in envelopes and in his jackets. There was also talk of gold bars and a ‘luxury car’.
It was striking that Menendez fought particularly passionately against the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called this one of the foundations for Sweden’s accession to NATO. Only after the allegations emerged did Menendez clear the way.
Menendez does not want to resign
The U.S. senator, his wife and two business associates, who are also accused, have pleaded not guilty. Several Democratic senators called on Menendez to resign, but he also rejected this step in the most recent video message.
In November, US voters will vote not only on the presidency, but also on a third of the seats in the Senate and all seats in the House of Representatives. In addition to the presidential candidates, candidates for positions in Congress are also eligible to vote in both parties’ respective primaries. The Democratic and Republican primaries will take place in New Jersey in early June.
Preference for luxury
Menendez has been a member of the Senate for the state on the American east coast since 2006. He has been investigated in the past, when the focus was on questionable business and luxury trips. But there was never a conviction. Menendez had always denied these allegations. The latest charge is not related to the previous charges.
Source: Krone
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