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The Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has reportedly informed his allies of his decision to resign from Congress following his conviction on corruption charges. The Menendez conviction of 16 federal charges includes accepting bribes in the form of cash, gold, and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen and acting as an agent for Egypt. 

A jury in New York delivered the verdict on Monday, finding the 70-year-old former chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee guilty.

 Menendez, who has represented New Jersey for over three decades, is set to step down after a jury found him guilty of a slew of federal offenses.

Menendez's political career spans back to 1993 when he began serving as a representative in the House, a role he held until 2006. Since then, he has been a prominent figure in the Senate. 

His tenure is now coming to an abrupt end following his conviction, as reported by NBC News.

Menendez Conviction

Businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes were also convicted on all charges they faced. All three had pleaded not guilty.

One of the critical pieces of evidence against Menendez were gold bars seized during a December FBI search of his residence. These bars were linked to a 2013 armed robbery involving Daibes. The serial numbers of the gold bars connected them to the robbery, reinforcing the bribery charges against the senator.

In addition to these convictions, another businessman pleaded guilty before the trial and testified against Menendez and the other defendants. Menendez’s wife, Nadine, also faced charges; however, her trial has been postponed indefinitely as she undergoes treatment for advanced-stage breast cancer.

Calls to Resign

The Democratic leadership has been vocal in their calls for Menendez to step down. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy have all urged Menendez to resign in light of the guilty verdict.

“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign,” Schumer stated. Despite Menendez's previous defiance, NBC reported that he is now prepared to relinquish his seat, citing sources familiar with the senator’s intentions.

Governor Murphy, one of the first Democrats to call for Menendez's resignation, will appoint a senator to temporarily fill Menendez's seat until his term ends in January 2025.

Following the verdict, Menendez maintained his innocence, telling reporters, “I have never violated my public oath. I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country.” This statement echoes his longstanding defiance since his initial indictment in September.