New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has told allies that he will resign from Congress rather than face a potential expulsion vote after being convicted on multiple corruption charges, NBC News reported Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the discussions.
Earlier this week, the 12-member jury in New York found the lawmaker guilty on all 16 counts of bribery, wire fraud, extortion, acting as a foreign agent, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. Menendez, who pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, is potentially facing decades in prison. The judge scheduled the senator’s sentencing date for October 29.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, among others in his party, had already called on Menendez “do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign.”
The trial stemmed from allegations that the lawmaker had used his position to benefit a number of New Jersey businessmen, as well as the Egyptian and Qatari governments, in exchange for bribes, gold bars, and other luxury items.
Two businessmen – Wael Hana and Fred Daibes – were also convicted on multiple charges, while Jose Uribe pleaded guilty and testified against Menendez during the trial. The senator’s wife Nadine Menendez was also charged, but will go to trial later due to a breast cancer diagnosis.
Menendez, who has represented New Jersey since 2006 and is up for reelection this November, became the first sitting member of Congress to be charged with acting as a foreign agent. Last month, he said he was not planning to seek the Democratic Party’s support, but would rather run as an independent.
Following NBC’s report, Menendez denied that he had plans to resign, telling CBS he had not “spoken to any so-called allies.” He called the report an “effort to try to force me into a statement.”