Senator Bob Menendez refuses to comment on whether he'll step down if found guilty in an upcoming trial.
Last week, the Democrat from New Jersey told CNN that he was eager to show his innocence during his upcoming trial. Menendez is accused of taking steps to benefit Egypt and Qatar's governments, as well as helping several businessmen in return for gold bars, cash, a luxury car, and Formula One Grand Prix race tickets.
The jury selection for this trial is set to begin on Monday. Menendez and two other New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, will be the ones on trial. Menendez's wife, Nadine, has also been charged but will face trial separately.
Both Menendez and the businessmen claim their innocence, with Menendez claiming he's being targeted by prosecutors. The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, will focus on whether the three of them engaged in a widespread corruption scheme to help the Egyptian and Qatari governments in exchange for lucrative bribes.
Prosecutors plan to present the jury with evidence suggesting that the money from their alleged scheme was used to live a lavish life. Despite stepping down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year, Menendez has refused to resign from his Senate seat.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the first Democratic senator to call for Menendez to step down. He called Menendez a "sleazeball" back then and made similar comments last week.
Although Menendez didn't file for reelection in the Democratic primary for his seat, he hasn't completely ruled out the possibility of running as an independent candidate in a video from March.
If you're interested in this subject, check out this article that I found: About Menendez's trial.
P.S. It's interesting to note that Menendez has always maintained his innocence throughout this ordeal.
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In the upcoming trial, Menendez and his associates are expected to defend against allegations of engaging in a corruption scheme involving the Egyptian and Qatari governments in exchange for bribes. Despite the charges and calls for his resignation, Senator Bob Menendez has refused to step down from his Senate seat.
Source: edition.cnn.com
