Sen. Robert Menendez and his wife were accused by federal prosecutors Thursday in a superseding indictment of conspiring to act as a foreign agent for Egypt’s government.
The additional charges came after the New Jersey Democrat and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, last month pleaded not guilty to related federal bribery and corruption charges.
The latest alleged crime could intensify calls from Democrats for Mr. Menendez to resign. He remains defiant and says he will serve the remainder of his term through next year and be exonerated of all charges.
The couple allegedly received lavish gifts from three New Jersey businessmen — including about $500,000 in cash, gold bars and a luxury car — in exchange for sensitive information and favors to benefit the men and the Egyptian government.
Those three other defendants are Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana.
The indictment filed Thursday stated that Mr. Menendez “provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt.”
It further stated that Ms. Arslanian Menendez and Mr. Hana “worked to introduce Egyptian intelligence and military officials to Menendez for the purpose of establishing and solidifying a corrupt agreement.”
Mr. Menendez denied the accusation in a statement and said the new charge “is an attempt to wear someone down.”
“The government’s latest charge flies in the face of my long record of standing up for human rights and democracy in Egypt and in challenging leaders of that country, including President [Abdel Fattah] El-Sisi on these issues,” he said. “I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York remains one of the few Democrats who hasn’t called for Mr. Menendez’s resignation, as roughly two-thirds of the caucus say he should leave office. One Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, wants Mr. Menendez to be expelled.
The campaign arm of Senate Republicans seized on the news.
“Crooked Bob Menendez is as corrupt as they come. Why won’t Chuck Schumer call for him to resign?” the National Republican Senatorial Committee said.
The superseding indictment suggested Mr. Menendez was aware of laws surrounding foreign agents and the requirements to register as one, because he sent the Justice Department two letters in May 2022 requesting that an unnamed member of Congress be investigated as a potential foreign agent.
He previously said the large amounts of cash found in his home were from withdrawals from his personal savings account over the course of three decades out of fear as a Cuban American of government confiscation.
The 69-year-old was previously charged with similar bribery allegations in a 2015 case but concluded in 2017 with a mistrial due to a hung jury. He was elected to a third term in 2018 but has declined to say whether he’ll seek a fourth in 2024.
Mr. Menendez was forced to resign as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman following the original indictment but remains on the panel with access to sensitive foreign policy information and power over such policies.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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