Bob Menendez accused of acting as agent of Egypt

According to a superseding federal indictment filed Thursday, Sen. Bob Menendez is accused of accepting bribes and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.

For more than four years, ending in June 2022, Mr. D.N.J. , confederated, and mutually agreed.” The Egyptian government alleges in its indictment.

The indictment also alleges that Menendez, who is seeking re-election next year, “provided confidential information to the U.S. government and took other steps to secretly assist” the Egyptian government.

The indictment alleges that Menendez and his wife accepted thousands of dollars in bribes “in exchange for Menendez’s actions and violations of obligations” to Egypt and other countries “including with respect to foreign military sales and foreign military financing.”

This is the latest federal criminal charge against Menendez. The longtime New Jersey lawmaker and his wife, Nadine, were previously accused of having “illicit relations” with three businessmen in their home state to protect them and benefit the Egyptian state. He had been indicted in New York on related federal charges.

A spokesperson for Mr. Menendez did not respond to a request for comment. Egyptian embassy officials did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Menendez has denied any wrongdoing and rejected calls to resign from the Senate. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and many of Menendez’s Democratic colleagues in the Senate have also called for Menendez to resign, including fellow New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York stopped short of calling for Menendez’s resignation.

Menendez said he will announce whether to officially launch the campaign when the time is right. Democrats hold a narrow majority in the Senate, where elections will be contested next year.

This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.