Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was found guilty Tuesday on all charges in a sweeping corruption case that accused him of taking bribes from New Jersey businessmen, a staggering downfall for the once-powerful lawmaker who dodged a corruption conviction years ago.
The federal jurors in Manhattan were not swayed by defense arguments that the government showed no direct evidence Menendez discussed a bribe, and that there were other explanations for the gold bars and cash stockpile that authorities found at the New Jersey residence the senator shared with his wife.
Menendez, the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has served as a member of Congress for more than three decades, was found guilty on 16 counts, including bribery, extortion and acting as a foreign agent.
