After Conviction, Sen. Menendez Remains Defiant: 'Never Been Anything But A Patriot'

NEW JERSEY — Senator Bob Menendez remained persistent in claims of his innocence on Tuesday, after a federal jury convicted him and two co-defendants on all charges in a high-profile federal bribery trial.

The New Jersey Democrat was accused of accepting bribes, using the power of his office to protect allies from prosecution, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. He now faces decades in prison, after being convicted of 16 charges.

Gov. Phil Murphy again called for Menendez to resign from his position as the Garden State's senior senator — and also said fellow Senators should vote to expel him should he continue to hold office.

The verdict "demonstrates that the Senator broke the law, violated the trust of his constituents, and betrayed his oath of office," Murphy said in a statement. "It also shows that in America, everyone – no matter how powerful – is accountable to our laws."

Menendez did not testify over the nine-week trial, and had pleaded not guilty along with his two co-defendants. The 70-year-old has maintained his innocence, insisting publicly that he was only doing his job as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He reiterated those claims in front of press cameras Tuesday, saying he was confident his team would succeed on appeal.

“I have never violated my public oath," he said. "I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country. I have never, ever been a foreign agent."

Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, were indicted on Sept. 22, 2023 for allegedly accepting the bribes of cash, gold and a luxury car from at least three business contacts.

As a note, Arslanian's trial was placed on hold indefinitely, so she may receive breast cancer treatment.

Investigators famously found gold bars in the couple's closet during a 2019 search of their home, according to federal prosecutors, who allege the items were part of a bribe.

On Tuesday, two of those contacts — Wael Hana and Fred Daibes — were also convicted. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty prior to trial and testified against the others.

This was the second time Menendez has faced corruption charges, and an unrelated trial in 2017 ended with a deadlocked jury.

Jury selection began for this trial in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, May 13. Sentencing for Menendez, Hana, and Daibes is scheduled for October 29.

Menendez and Arslanian were also implicated in a newer indictment in early March for obstruction of justice.

Also in March, the senator said that he believes he will be exonerated and will run for re-election this year, but as an independent.

His conviction on Tuesday sparked renewed calls for him to step down, including from Murphy and from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York.

"Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign," Schumer said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.