Bribe allegations

Accused US senator no longer running

Charges were brought against Bob Menendez and his wife (background with sunglasses).(Bild: Getty Images)

US Senator Bob Menendez, who has been indicted for corruption, will not be running in the Democratic primary in the state of New Jersey. He is accused of accepting bribes and luxury goods from Egypt and Qatar. 

The politician announced in a video message on Thursday that he was keeping open the possibility of running for office again as an independent candidate. Menendez described himself as innocent and the accusations against him as false.

Luxury for political favors?
Charges were brought against Menendez last year and the trial is scheduled to begin in May. The 70-year-old is alleged to have used his political influence to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar and accepted bribes and luxury items in return. Investigators found around 500,000 US dollars (around 469,000 euros) in cash in his possession - hidden in envelopes and in his jackets, according to the public prosecutor's office. There was also talk of gold bars and a "luxury car".

A public prosecutor points to the evidence found.(Bild: Getty Images)

It was striking that Menendez fought particularly passionately against the delivery of F-16 jets to Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had cited these as one of the reasons for Sweden's accession to NATO. It was only after the accusations arose that Menendez cleared the way.

Menendez does not want to resign
The US senator as well as his wife and two business partners, who have also been charged, have pleaded not guilty. Various Democratic senators called on Menendez to resign, but he also rejected this step in the latest video message.

In November, voters in the USA will not only vote on the presidency, but also on a third of the seats in the Senate and all seats in the House of Representatives. In addition to the presidential candidates, candidates for congressional offices are also on the ballot in the respective primaries of both parties. In New Jersey, the Democratic and Republican primaries will take place at the beginning of June.

A penchant for luxury
Menendez has been a member of the Senate for the state on the US East Coast since 2006. He has already been investigated in the past, at that time the focus was on questionable business dealings and luxury travel. However, he was never convicted. Menendez has always denied these allegations. The latest charges are not related to the earlier allegations.