The Washington Free Beacon reported that Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was charged with acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.
Prosecutors claim that Menendez and his wife accepted gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars to interfere with law enforcement investigations and assist the Egyptian government.
The updated indictment filed against the senator alleges Menendez acted on behalf of Egypt without registering as a foreign agent.
According to the indictment, Menendez “promised to take and took a series of acts on behalf of Egypt, including on behalf of Egyptian military and intelligence officials.”
Wael Hana, a co-defendant, arranged meetings between the senator and Egyptian officials.
Senator Menendez and his wife have pleaded not guilty.
Menendez responded to the latest charge in a statement reading, “I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom. Piling new charge upon new charge does not make the allegations true. … I again ask people who know me and my record to give me the chance to present my defense and show my innocence.”
