United States Senator, Bob Menendez, arrives at Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, where he was eventually convicted of bribery and corruption charges. On July 23, 2024 he announced his intention to resign in late August.
© Kevin R. Wexler / NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Jersey City, NJ) – US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey is reportedly planning to resign his position in late August. According to NBC News and other outlets, New Jersey’s senior senator plans to resign from the upper chamber of Congress on August 20. This follows his conviction this month on federal bribery and corruption charges.
Federal prosecutors said that Menendez entered into illegal agreements with businessmen to help them avoid prosecution and secure business deals. Evidence showed Menendez accepted gold bars, cash, a luxury apartment, and a Mercedes as part of the illicit agreements. He’d plead not guilty and previously refused calls to resign.
Senator Menendez did step down from his position with the Senate Foreign Relations committee when he was indicted. His wife Nadine is also accused and she will face a separate trial, given she’s undergoing treatment for cancer.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat who had urged Menendez to resign, said he would move to expel the senator if he had not agreed to step down. A replacement senator will have to be appointed — that individual will serve through the end of the year. Menendez is scheduled to be sentenced October 29, but his attorneys do plan to appeal his conviction.
