US Senator Bob Menendez now says gold bars seized at his NJ home were part of an "illegal search" on behalf of the government.
© Kevin R. Wexler-The Record + © U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey claims his home was illegally searched as part of the federal government’s investigation against him. New Jersey’s senior senator has been accused of corruption and accepting bribes. Prosecutors say he accepted gifts and cash to exert his influence over the Department of Justice, on behalf of New Jersey-based Egyptian businessmen.
Senator Menendez has refused calls to resign but did step down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Now, he claims evidence taken from his New Jersey home was part of an illegal search. Prosecutors have introduced gold bars and cash allegedly taken from Menendez’ home. The senator says it was taken illegally. Menendez’ lawyers refer to the government’s process as “exploratory rummaging,” as gold bars were seized at the home — and cash was taken from the pockets of suits.
Menendez has been referred to as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar in government documents. He denies the claims and says the government is carrying out an agenda against him. Menendez suggests prosecutors want “retribution” after a previous corruption case ended in a hung jury. That case was tried in Newark federal court. A Manhattan federal jury indicted Menendez in this case.
