Senator Menendez and his wife accused of accepting bribes

US Senator Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, and his wife have been indicted on bribery charges in connection with their relationship with three businessmen from that state, federal prosecutors announced Friday, Voice of America reports.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan accused Menendez and his wife of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using the power and influence he has as a senator to protect and help businessmen get rich, as well as to provide the government of Egypt with benefits.

Prosecutors said the bribes included cash, gold, home mortgage payments, compensation for a job with minimal requirements, a luxury vehicle and other items of financial value.

The senator and his wife, Nadine Menendez, face three criminal charges each. The senator's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit Menendez's assets, including his New Jersey home, a 2019 Mercedes-Benz and about $566,000 in cash, gold bullion and bank account funds.

Menendez, the chairman of the influential US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was previously indicted in New Jersey for accepting private flights, campaign contributions and other types of bribes from a wealthy patron in exchange for official favors, but a 2017 trial ended without a jury verdict.

Menendez is known among the local public for his statements against the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo, favoring Kosovo and advocating for the punishment of Serbia, as well as for his remarks against the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic.

Bob Menendez was among the signatories of the letter from the chairmen of the foreign policy committees of the USA, the United Kingdom and the EU, as well as the US Congress, which was signed by more than 50 parliamentarians, including Menendez, and in which they asked their governments for a "more critical attitude towards Serbia", emphasizing that Belgrade's policy "will not work for the Balkans".