Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty in federal corruption trial

A jury has found Sen. Bob Menendez guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial.

A jury has found Sen. Bob Menendez guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial. The New Jersey Democrat was convicted of 16 counts – including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent – for his role in a yearslong bribery scheme. Menendez appeared to shake his head when the first guilty verdict against him was read. When the jury was finished, he leaned his elbows on the defense table with his hands clasped in front of his face. Prosecutors successfully argued that the senator tried to use his power to advance Egyptian military interests, interfere in criminal prosecutions and secure investment from Qatari officials, among other things. Menendez and his wife allegedly received gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other bribes in exchange for his influence. The senator’s wife, Nadine Menendez, was also charged in the case, but her trial was postponed indefinitely by the judge after her breast cancer diagnosis. She has pleaded not guilty. The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison on each count. In all, Menendez faces a maximum of 222 years in prison for the 16 charges if served consecutively. However, any sentences would run concurrently unless the court orders otherwise.