DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Sen. Cory Booker gave an impassioned speech defending Sen. Bob Menendez's character during a closed-door lunch with fellow senators
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cory Booker gave an impassioned defense of Bob Menendez's character during a senators' lunch. AdvertisementAdvertisementSen. Cory Booker of New Jersey gave an impassioned defense of Sen. Bob Menendez's character during a closed-door lunch with other Democratic senators on Wednesday, according to four sources familiar with the meeting. In his Tuesday statement calling on Menendez to resign, Booker offered high praise for his colleague. "I've consistently found Senator Menendez to be intellectually gifted, tough, passionate, and deeply empathic. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who's also known Menendez for decades, has so far declined to call for Menendez to resign.

Persons: Cory Booker, Bob Menendez's, Booker, Menendez, —, Sen, Cory Booker of, I've, — Sen, Robin, Chuck Schumer, who's Organizations: Service, Cory Booker of New, Democratic, New, New Jersey Democrat Locations: Cory Booker of New Jersey, New York City, New Jersey, Egypt

Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey,delivers remarks, after he and his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted on bribery offenses in connection with an alleged corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in Union City, New Jersey, U.S., September 25, 2023. Senator Bob Menendez is set to appear in court on Wednesday to face charges of taking bribes from three New Jersey businessman, as calls for his resignation from his fellow Democrats escalated. Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez, 56, and businessmen Jose Uribe, 56, and Fred Daibes, 66, are set to appear in Manhattan federal court around 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT). David Schertler, a lawyer for Nadine Menendez, said she intends to plead not guilty and "vigorously defend" against the allegations. Lawyers for Bob Menendez, Uribe and Daibes did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Wael Hana, David Schertler, Uribe, Daibes, Cory Booker, Phil Murphy, Hana, Luc Cohen, Andrew Goudsward, Scott Malone, Timothy Gardner 私 Organizations: Democrat, REUTERS, Senate Foreign Relations, Senate, U.S, Democratic Senators, Democratic New, Prosecutors Locations: New Jersey, Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Manhattan, Democratic New Jersey, Washington

The New Jersey Democrat will make his first appearance in a federal court in Manhattan amid growing calls from colleagues that he resign from Congress. It's the second corruption case in a decade against Menendez, whose last trial involving different allegations ended with jurors failing to reach a verdict in 2017. An attorney for Nadine Menendez has said she also denies the allegations and will fight the charges. Prosecutors say Hana promised to put Menendez's wife on his company's payroll in a low-or-no-show job in exchange for Menendez using his influential post to facilitate foreign military sales and financing to Egypt. In one case, he pushed to install a federal prosecutor in New Jersey whom Menendez believed he could influence to derail a criminal case against Daibes, prosecutors allege.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez —, —, It's, Menendez, New Jersey Democratic Sen, Cory Booker, Nadine, Nadine Menendez, — Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes —, Wael Hana, Hana, Menendez's, Prosecutors, Daibes, ___ Richer Organizations: — U.S, The New, The New Jersey Democrat, Foreign, Senate, New Jersey Democratic, Tuesday, Democrats, New, Authorities, Prosecutors, U.S Locations: New Jersey, The, The New Jersey, Manhattan, Jersey, New York’s, Egypt, Boston

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to pocketing bribes in a wide-ranging corruption case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to federal charges accusing him of pocketing bribes of cash and gold bars in exchange for wielding his political influence to secretly advance Egyptian interests and do favors for local businessmen. Menendez spoke in court only when each defendant stood to acknowledge that they understood the charges against them. A lawyer entered the not guilty plea for Menendez, who was forced to step down as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted. They say Menendez also tried to interfere in criminal investigations involving associates, in one case pushing to install in New Jersey a federal prosecutor who he believed he could influence to derail a case. Two of the businessmen, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes, also were arraigned and pleaded not guilty.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Nadine Arslanian, Sen, Menendez, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Jersey Sen, Cory Booker, Nadine, Nadine Menendez, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Wael Hana, Hana, Prosecutors, Menendez's Organizations: Democrat, Court, Southern District of, U.S, Bob Menendez of New, Foreign, Senate, Illinois, Democrats, Authorities, Prosecutors, Kennedy Airport Locations: New Jersey, Southern District, Southern District of New York, New York City, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Manhattan, Jersey, Englewood, , New Jersey, Egypt

"I believe stepping down is best for those Senator Menendez has spent his life serving," Booker said in a statement. I urge Senator Menendez to resign," said Senator Gary Peters, the head of Senate Democrats' campaign arm, in a statement. Many Democratic elected officials in Menendez's state of New Jersey, including Governor Phil Murphy, have also called for Menendez to resign. Menendez's Senate seat will be among those decided in next year's election. The probe marks the third time Menendez has been under investigation by federal prosecutors.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Cory Booker, Bob Menendez, Booker, Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Gary Peters, Phil Murphy, Andy Kim, Murphy, Wael Hana, Makini Brice, Jeff Mason, Eric Beech, Luc Cohen, Josie Kao, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Democratic, Senate, Republicans, U.S . Senate, Democrats, Democratic U.S, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, New, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Northeastern, New Jersey, Menendez's, Egypt, Manhattan, New York

Some elected officials, including the Democratic governor of Menendez's state of New Jersey, have publicly urged him to step down. Sherrod Brown became the second Senate Democrat to call for Menendez to resign, saying in a statement: "Senator Menendez has broken the public trust and should resign from the U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on Saturday urged Menendez to resign in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Senator Peter Welch also said he encouraged Menendez to resign because the allegations against him had "compromised his capacity" to be an "effective senator." Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez and the businessmen are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Nancy Pelosi, Menendez, Sherrod Brown, John Fetterman, Peter Welch, Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Karine Jean, Pierre, Andy Kim, Barack Obama's, Makini Brice, Doina, Steve Holland, Kanishka Singh, Scott Malone, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis, Sonali Paul Organizations: Democratic, Former U.S . House, MSNBC, Republican, Foreign Relations, New, U.S, Democrat, U.S . Senate, Pennsylvania Democrat, Saturday, Democratic U.S, REUTERS, Prosecutors, Benz, New Jersey Democrat, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Menendez's, New Jersey, Former, Pennsylvania, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Egypt, Manhattan, Cuba, Iran, Washington

☆ Erdogan Sees Advantage in U.S. Senator Menendez's Troubles -Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ANKARA (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey needs to turn the legal troubles of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a long-time critic of his government, into opportunity for its requested purchase of F-16 U.S. fighter jets, Turkish media said on Tuesday. NATO member Turkey requested in October 2021 to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and 79 modernisation kits for its existing warplanes. The Biden administration is linking F-16 fighter jet sales to Turkey with Ankara's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership bid, Erdogan also said. Turkey will ratify Stockholm's bid if the administration keeps its promise on the F-16 sale, he added.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Erdogan, Turkey's, Joe Biden's, Biden, Huseyin Hayatsever, Jonathan Spicer Organizations: Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, NATO, Turkey, Lockheed Martin Corp Locations: ANKARA, Turkey, Jersey, U.S

☆ Erdogan sees advantage in U.S. senator Menendez's troubles -media
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsANKARA, Sept 26 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey needs to turn the legal troubles of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a long-time critic of his government, into opportunity for its requested purchase of F-16 U.S. fighter jets, Turkish media said on Tuesday. Erdogan raised Turkey's pending ratification of Sweden's NATO membership bid and said the White House must also fulfil its promise on the F-16s. The Biden administration is linking F-16 fighter jet sales to Turkey with Ankara's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership bid, Erdogan also said.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Brendan McDermid, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Erdogan, Turkey's, Joe Biden's, Biden, Huseyin Hayatsever, Jonathan Spicer Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, NATO, Turkey, Lockheed Martin Corp, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights ANKARA, Turkey, Jersey

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) delivers remarks, after he and his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted on bribery offenses in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in Union City, New Jersey, U.S., September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 26 (Reuters) - A New Jersey businessman pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of bribing U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. Menendez, 69, his 56-year-old wife, Nadine Menendez, and two other businessmen accused of bribing the senior New Jersey senator are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. Prosecutors say Hana, who is originally from Egypt, arranged meetings in 2018 between Menendez and Egyptian officials.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Bob Menendez, Wael Hana, Judge Ona Wang, Menendez, Hana, Washington, Luc Cohen, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, New, Prosecutors, Senate Foreign Relations, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, New Jersey, Manhattan, Egypt, United States, New York

REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Charges that Senator Bob Menendez accepted bribes in exchange for wielding his influence to aid the Egyptian government prompted calls in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday for the Biden administration to rethink $235 million in military aid to Cairo. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Middle East subcommittee, said he hoped the committee would investigate the allegations and Egypt's involvement. "I have not talked to colleagues about this yet, but obviously this raises pretty serious questions about Egypt, Egypt's conduct," he said. The indictment against Menendez also says he had close relationships with members of Egypt's intelligence services and held meetings to discuss U.S. military aid. He has stepped down temporarily from his role as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Bob Menendez, Biden, Chris Murphy, Menendez, Murphy, Joe Biden's, Don Beyer, Beyer, Patricia Zengerle, Tom Hogue Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Congress, Democratic, Relations, Foreign Relations, Egypt Human Rights Caucus, U.S . Senate, CNN, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Cairo, Egypt, Washington

☆ Mum's the bad word: Most big Menendez donors won't say if they will keep backing New Jersey senator
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Several top party donors have privately told Menendez's campaign that he should resign, according to a longtime past supporter who spoke with CNBC. The PAC so far has raised approximately $300,000 for Menendez's 2024 reelection campaign, according to its president, Dr. Ben Chouake. NorPAC has donated a combined $15,500 toward the Menendez campaign and separate leadership PAC since 2017, according to OpenSecrets data. Prudential Financial , the large insurer, has donated $35,000 through their PAC toward Menendez's political operation since 2017, according to OpenSecrets. A Prudential spokeswoman declined to comment when asked whether the company's PAC would continue to support Menendez following his indictment.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, NorPAC, Jon Kaiden, Kaiden, Cory Booker of, Ben Chouake, Chouake, We've, Couake, Goldman Sachs, General Atomics, Greenberg Traurig Organizations: New, New Jersey Democrat, CNBC, Baleon Capital, Menendez, Fund, Senate Foreign Relations, Banking, Finance, Democratic, Senate, Menendez's, PAC, Pfizer, Prudential Financial, Prudential, company's PAC, FEC, Comcast, Merck, Holtec Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, New Jersey, Israel, Manhattan, Cory Booker of New Jersey, OpenSecrets, Jerusalem

He has again stepped down as chairman of the Foreign Affairs panel, as per Senate Democratic caucus rules, but has otherwise made clear that he’s not going anywhere. Political Cartoons View All 1182 ImagesThe calls for his resignation are in sharp contrast, though, to his first case. It also puts increased pressure on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic leaders who have so far stopped short of recommending that Menendez step down. Booker said it is a “mistake” for Menendez to say that stepping down would be unfair as the case has not been tried. Also calling for Menendez to step down on Monday were Democratic Sens.

Persons: — Democratic Sen, Cory Booker, Sen, Bob Menendez, ”, Menendez, Nadine, ” Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Booker, ” Booker, Democratic Sens, Tammy Baldwin of, Jon Tester, Montana, Jacky Rosen of, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Martin Heinrich of, John Fetterman of, Peter Welch of, Sherrod Brown of, Phil Murphy Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Democratic, New, New Jersey Democrat, Democratic, Foreign Relations Committee, Foreign Affairs, Hudson, College’s, clubby Senate, New Jersey Gov Locations: New Jersey, Egypt, Jersey, Hudson County, Union City, clubby, Jerseyans, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Peter Welch of Vermont, Sherrod Brown of Ohio

☆ Sen. Cory Booker, over dozen other Democratic senators call on Menendez to quit due to bribery indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker joined a fast-growing chorus of Democrats to call on Sen. Bob Menendez, his fellow lawmaker from New Jersey, to resign because of his indictment last week on federal bribery charges. "I believe stepping down is best for those Senator Menendez has spent his life serving," Booker said in a statement on his X account. Booker called the allegations of corruption against Menendez "shocking" and "disturbing." Before Monday, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Senate Democrat to call on Menendez to resign. At least five House Democratic members from New Jersey have called on Menendez to resign.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Sen, Cory Booker, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Booker, I've, Nadine, John Fetterman of, Sens . Booker, Michael Bennet, Amy Klobuchar, Sherrod Brown, Peter Welch, Tammy Baldwin, Jon Tester, Jacky Rosen, Bob Casey, Elizabeth Warren, Martin Heinrich, Kirsten Gillibrand, Mark Kelly, Rep, Nancy Pelosi, Phil Murphy, Chuck Schumer, Klobuchar, Casey Organizations: U.S, Democratic, Mercedes, Benz, Garden State, Democrat, Sens, California Democrat, MSNBC, Gov, Senate Foreign Relations, Banking, Finance, NBC, CNBC, Menendez's, Prosecutors Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, New Jersey, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, California, New York

☆ Senate Democrats Baldwin, Casey, Tester call for Menendez's resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Segar/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Senators Tammy Baldwin, Bob Casey and Jon Tester joined a growing number of Democrats on Tuesday in calling for Senator Bob Menendez to resign, after prosecutors charged him and his wife with taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. Menendez, also a Democrat, said on Monday that he would stay in the Senate and fight the charges. Democratic Senators John Fetterman, Sherrod Brown and Peter Welch have also called for Menendez to resign, as well as several Democratic elected officials in Menendez's state of New Jersey, including Governor Phil Murphy. Menendez's legal troubles could complicate his party's efforts to maintain control of the Senate, though New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the seat since 1972. Following the announcement of the charges on Friday, Democratic U.S. Representative Andy Kim said on Saturday he would challenge Menendez for his seat.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Tammy Baldwin, Bob Casey, Jon Tester, Bob Menendez, Menendez, John Fetterman, Sherrod Brown, Peter Welch, Phil Murphy, Murphy, Andy Kim, Wael Hana, Makini Brice, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Senate, Republicans, Republican, Democratic U.S, Senate Foreign Relations, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Menendez's, New Jersey, Egypt, Manhattan

Some elected officials in his state of New Jersey, including the state's Democratic governor, have publicly urged him to step down. Menendez has stepped down temporarily from his role as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senate Democratic rules require any member charged with a felony to give up their leadership position, though they can take it back if they are found not guilty. The probe is the third time Menendez has been under investigation by federal prosecutors, though he has never been convicted. Menendez, his wife and the businessmen are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Menendez, Karine Jean, Pierre, Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Barack Obama's, Makini Brice, Doina, Steve Holland, Scott Malone, Mark Porter Organizations: Democratic, Republican, Foreign Relations, New, U.S, White, REUTERS, Benz, Thomson Locations: Jersey, New Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Egypt, Manhattan, Cuba, Iran

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) delivers remarks, after he and his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted on bribery offenses in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in Union City, New Jersey, U.S., September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez denied wrongdoing and vowed to stay in Congress on Monday after prosecutors charged him and his wife with taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. Menendez's stance defied calls from elected officials in his state of New Jersey, including the state's Democratic governor, to step down. Senate Democratic rules require any member charged with a felony to give up their leadership position, though they can take it back if they are found not guilty. Prosecutors want Menendez to forfeit assets including his home, a 2019 Mercedes-Benz convertible and $566,000 in cash, gold bars and bank account funds.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Mike Segar, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Barack Obama's, Makini Brice, Doina, Scott Malone, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Jersey businessmen, Republican, Foreign Relations, New, Prosecutors, Benz, Thomson Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, New Jersey, Egypt, Manhattan, Cuba, Iran

☆ Menendez vows to fight bribery charges, stay in Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsMenendez vows to fight bribery charges, stay in CongressPostedU.S. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez on Monday (September 25) denied wrongdoing and vowed to stay in Congress after prosecutors charged him and his wife with taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen.

Persons: Menendez, Bob Menendez Organizations: U.S, Democratic Locations: Jersey

☆ Menendez rejects calls to resign after bribery charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsMenendez rejects calls to resign after bribery chargesPostedU.S. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez denied wrongdoing and vowed to stay in Congress on Monday after prosecutors charged him and his wife with taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. This report produced by Freddie Joyner.

Persons: Menendez, Bob Menendez, Freddie Joyner Organizations: U.S, Democratic, Jersey businessmen Locations: Jersey

☆ Fetterman plans to return donation tied to Menendez 'in envelopes stuffed with $100 bills,' spokesman says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with U.S. senators in the Capitol, Sept. 21, 2023. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., will return $5,000 in contributions from a political action committee tied to Sen. Bob Menendez "in envelopes stuffed with $100 bills" because of the New Jersey Democrat's indictment on bribery charges, Fetterman's spokesman said. Fetterman's campaign received $5,000 from Menendez's leadership PAC during the 2022 election cycle, according to the nonpartisan site OpenSecrets. The Pennsylvania senator's spokesman told NBC News, "We are in the process of returning the money in envelopes stuffed with $100 bills." Fetterman is the only Democratic senator to call on Menendez to resign after he and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were charged with three bribery-related counts in federal court in New York.

Persons: Sen, John Fetterman, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Bob Menendez, Fetterman's, Menendez, Nadine Menendez Organizations: NBC, Democratic, Prosecutors, Menendez's Locations: Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez suggests cash found in bribery raid came from 'personal savings'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey suggested Monday that the cash seized by federal investigators from his home came from his personal savings account. "I have withdrawn thousands of dollars in cash from my personal savings account, what I have kept for emergencies and because of the history of my family facing confiscation in Cuba," Menendez said during a press conference on Monday. "Now this may seem old-fashioned but these were monies drawn from my personal savings account based on the income that I have lawfully derived," he added. Menendez and his wife were indicted on federal bribery charges in New York last week. Prosecutors accused the 69-year-old Democrat and his spouse of allegedly accepting lavish bribes including, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz car and mortgage payments.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Nadine Menendez, WASHINGTON — Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez Organizations: Bob Menendez of New, Prosecutors, Mercedes, Benz, New Locations: Jersey, Union City , New Jersey, U.S, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Cuba, New York, Englewood Cliffs , New Jersey

UNION CITY, N.J. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey defiantly pushed back against federal corruption charges and the erosion of Democratic support in his home state Monday, saying cash authorities found in his home was from his savings account and on hand for emergencies. He said that he believed he'd be exonerated and that prosecutors sometimes get the facts wrong. In Washington, where the U.S. Senate is closely divided, some of Menendez’s Democratic colleagues have stopped short of calling for his resignation, notably Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, and Majority Whip Dick Durbin, of Illinois. Menendez has, however, stepped down as chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Schumer said on Friday, when the indictment was unsealed. Phil Murphy, the state party chairmen and leaders of the Legislature, along with some of Menendez’s congressional colleagues, are calling on him to resign.

Persons: — Democratic U.S . Sen, Bob Menendez, he'd, Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Schumer, ”, “, Nadine Menendez, Phil Murphy, ___ Catalini Organizations: CITY, — Democratic U.S ., Bob Menendez of New, U.S . Senate, Democratic, Foreign Relations, Senate, Prosecutors, U.S, Embassy, Gov Locations: N.J, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Cuba, In Washington, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Egypt, Cairo, ghostwrote, Trenton

☆ Four Takeaways From the Robert Menendez Indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Erin Nolan | More About Erin Nolan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In a 39-page indictment, federal prosecutors on Friday accused Robert Menendez, the powerful New Jersey senator and Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of accepting bribes that included a luxury car, expensive exercise machines, mortgage payments, bars of gold bullion and more than $500,000 in cash. In exchange for the bribes, Mr. Menendez wielded his power to increase U.S. assistance to Egypt and do favors for New Jersey businessmen, prosecutors said. The indictment also names Mr. Menendez’s wife, Nadine Menendez, and three businessmen: Fred Daibes, a prominent New Jersey builder; Wael Hana, the founder of a halal meat certification company with headquarters in New Jersey; and Jose Uribe, a former insurance agent from Union City, N.J., who worked in the trucking industry. All five defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. The senator and his wife were also charged with conspiracy to commit extortion under the color of official right, meaning that they leveraged Mr. Menendez’s role as a U.S. senator to force someone to give them something of value.

Persons: Robert Menendez, Menendez, Menendez’s, Nadine Menendez, Fred Daibes, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe Organizations: New, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: New Jersey, Egypt, Union City, N.J, U.S

Kim’s surprise announcement came as a growing number of Democrats are calling for Menendez to step down. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman became the first Democratic senator to do so, and several members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, along with the state's Democratic governor, have said he should resign. “This is not something I expected to do, but I believe New Jersey deserves better,” Kim said in a statement. But given the gravity of these charges, I do not believe that Senator Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state.”New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also demanded Menendez’s immediate resignation, saying the allegations were “so serious" that they compromise the senator’s ability to serve.

Persons: Andy Kim of, Sen, Robert Menendez, Menendez, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman, ” Kim, ”, Nadine, Menendez —, Chuck Schumer, Fetterman, Donald Norcross, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Mikie Sherrill, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Pascrell, Phil Murphy, Menendez’s, Democratic Sen, Cory Booker, Rob Menendez, David Schertler, “ Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Democratic, Senate, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign Relations, Democrat, New, ” New, ” New Jersey Gov, New Jersey Democrats, Authorities, Prosecutors, New Jersey Attorney Locations: Andy Kim of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Egypt, Jersey, New Jersey’s, ”, ” New Jersey

"The alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state," Murphy - who would appoint a temporary replacement for Menendez should he resign - said in a statement. "Behind the scenes, Senator Menendez was doing those things for certain people - the people that were bribing him and his wife," Williams said. A lawyer for Nadine Menendez, 56, who has been married to the senator since 2020, said she denied wrongdoing and would "vigorously defend" against the allegations in court. MENENDEZ HAS FACED OTHER PROBESThe investigation marks the third time Menendez has been investigated by federal prosecutors, although he has never been convicted. Bob and Nadine Menendez also each face one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Phil Murphy, Murphy, Prosecutors, Damian Williams, Williams, Nadine Menendez, MENENDEZ, Robert Menedez, Jonathan Ernst, Ben Cardin, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ted Stevens, Larry Craig, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Bob, Hana, Washington, Uribe, Daibes, Luc Cohen, Jonathan Stempel, Patricia Zengerle, Matt Spetalnick, Simon Lewis, Makini Brice, Andrew Goudsward, Tom Hals, Mark Porter, Daniel Wallis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Jersey businessmen, U.S . Senate, Foreign, Democratic, U.S . House, Representatives, Benz, Capitol, REUTERS, Republican, U.S . Department of Agriculture, New, Menendez, Daibes, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, Jersey, U.S, Manhattan, Egypt, Ukraine, China . New Jersey, New Jersey, Washington , U.S, Cuban American, Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Alaska, Idaho, United States, Washington, New York

Menendez serves as the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. And as chairman, he had unique influence over foreign military sales and foreign military financing. The State Department typically seeks the input of the chairperson and top minority senator on the Foreign Relations panel when it comes to foreign military financing and foreign military sales, and the department generally will not go forward if one of the two senators objects. Hana is a friend of Nadine Menendez and the Egyptian-American founder of a business that certifies beef imported into Egypt meets Islamic religious standards. “Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes,” Nadine Menendez texted her husband, along with a heart emoji.

Persons: — Democratic U.S . Sen, Bob Menendez, Egypt —, Menendez, ”, Nadine, “, Prosecutors, Nadine Arslania, David Schertler, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Nadine Menendez, He's, Hana, Uribe, ” Nadine Menendez, Hana's, Salomon Melgen, Melgen, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Ben Cardin, Schumer, Phil Murphy Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Democratic U.S ., Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Embassy, The State Department, Foreign Relations, U.S . House, Strategic International Business Consultants LLC, -, New, Daibes, Senate, New Jersey voters, Republican, NEXT, Democratic, While New, While New Jersey Gov Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Jersey, U.S, Cairo, Union City , New Jersey, Edgewater , New Jersey, Florida, Dominican Republic, Paris, Washington, D, While, While New Jersey

Search resuls for: "Jersey businessmen"

25 mentions found