An indictment was prepared against US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman and New Jersey’s Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who is known for his anti-Turkey views, and his wife Nadine Menendez, on charges of bribery. In the indictment, it was stated that Menendez “used his political influence to enrich several businessmen from New Jersey and the Egyptian government” and received cash, gold bullion, work compensation, a luxury vehicle and many valuable items as bribes. Menendez, who was accused of putting pressure on an official in the Ministry of Agriculture in order to protect Egyptian-born American businessman Wael Hanna and the Egyptian government, was also alleged to have intervened in an investigation into New Jersey businessman Jose Uribe.
MONEY WAS FOUND IN THE HOUSE
The indictment, which details how the money hidden in the Menendez couple’s house was discovered during the raid in June 2022, states: “More than 480 thousand dollars in cash, most of which was stuffed in envelopes at home, hidden in clothes, cabinets and safes, and more than 70 thousand dollars in cash in Nadine Menendez’s safe deposit box.” “found” expressions were used.
HE RELEASED HIS OFFICE
Making a statement following the developments, US Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer announced that Menendez temporarily resigned from his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
In the 1-year corruption investigation carried out by US Attorney Damian Williams, it was investigated whether Menendez and his wife received cash and gifts as bribes, including jewellery, a Mercedes-Benz brand vehicle, luxury apartments and gold bars worth 400 thousand dollars. Menendez, who is facing his second accusation since his election to the Senate in 2006, was accused of “illegally accepting gifts” in 2015.
HE IS KNOWN FOR HIS ACTIONS AGAINST Türkiye
On the other hand, it was claimed that Menendez, who demanded that the so-called “official recognition of the Armenian genocide” draft resolution be voted on in the General Assembly in 2019, played a role in US President Joe Biden using the phrase “Armenian genocide” for the first time last year. In 2016, Menendez wrote a letter to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, claiming that Turkey was acting aggressively against Greece and Cyprus, and demanded that sanctions be imposed on Ankara due to its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. In 2020, 6 Senators, including Menendez, prepared a motion requesting that information regarding allegations of violation of human rights and freedoms in Turkey and its surroundings by “Ankara” be shared with the public. Menendez also maintained his place on the agenda with his opposition to the sale of F-16s to Turkey.
Source: İHA-AA