As Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., remains mired in scandal after being federally indicted on corruption charges last week, his Democratic colleagues in Congress have seemingly rushed to distance themselves. Curiously, several Republicans have defended him from calls to step down.
Federal prosecutors allege that nearly half a million dollars in cash and gold bars were discovered in Menedez's New Jersey home. The democratic legislator has claimed the money came from his own personal savings account over the years — funds he claimed were legitimately earned from his career as a politician and lawmaker. Prosecutors have claimed Menendez and his wife took gold bars, a Mercedes, and cash to assist businessmen and the Egyptian government. Menendez, who has refused to resign despite calls to step down from a number of Democratic senators, has received support from some Republicans.
