Report: FBI counterintelligence investigation into Menendez’s Egyptian ties is ongoing

In addition to the federal bribery charges brought against Senator Bob Menendez last week, NBC New York reported yesterday that Menendez is also the subject of an FBI counterintelligence investigation into the senator’s ties to Egyptian intelligence agencies.

“The FBI wants to know more about what role Egyptian intelligence services might have played in the alleged bribe scheme involving Senator Robert Menendez, who helps oversee billions in aid in Egypt,” NBC New York reporter Jonathan Dienst said in a televised segment. “According to sources familiar with the matter, the FBI wants to know if Egyptian intelligence or associates tried to gain access through Menendez’s wife, Nadine.”

The charges leveled against Menendez allege that the senator and his wife traded influence and sensitive information that benefited the Egyptian government in exchange for gold bars and cash. The connection to Egyptian officials was made through Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman whose halal company was aided by Menendez; Hana pleaded not guilty yesterday.

Former FBI counterintelligence chief Frank Figliuzzi said on NBC New York yesterday that Menendez’s role as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee makes any interactions he had with Egyptian officials especially notable.

“Senator Menendez’s chairmanship of Foreign Relations puts him in a bullseye position for foreign intelligence services that are looking to have him make decisions in their favor,” Figliuzzi said.

Menendez has thus far resisted widespread calls for his resignation; asked yesterday why he had not stepped down, he said, “Because I’m innocent!”