Menendez pleads not guilty to foreign agent charge

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was arraigned once again today, this time on charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Just as he did last month to related bribery charges, Menendez pleaded not guilty.

On September 22, an explosive federal indictment was released against Menendez that alleges the three-term senator, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, traded influence in Washington for bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. The indictment immediately prompted widespread calls for Menendez to resign, something he has refused to do.

Five days after the charges were released, Menendez pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $100,000 bond.

Much of the initial indictment focused on the relationship between Menendez, his wife Nadine, and Egyptian American businessman Wael Hana, who allegedly served as a conduit between Menendez and top Egyptian officials. 

That relationship went on to form the basis of a superseding indictment released on October 12 charging Bob and Nadine Menendez with unlawfully acting as foreign agents on behalf of the Egyptian government. According to the indictment, the Menendezes worked to increase American aid to Egypt in exchange for cash and gifts.

In a statement issued today, Menendez reiterated that he has committed no wrongdoing and that he remains loyal only to the United States of America.

“The facts haven’t changed,” Menendez said. “The government is engaged in primitive hunting, by which the predator chases its prey until it’s exhausted and then kills it. This tactic won’t work. I will not litigate this case through the press, but have made it abundantly clear that I have done nothing wrong and once all the facts are presented will be found innocent.”