Half a million dollars found at home was 'just savings,' senior Democrat says

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez addresses the press at Hudson County Community College in Union City. Photo: Eduardo Muñoz Alvarez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock < p>Embattled Democratic Senator Bob Menendez rejected calls for him to resign and insisted that nearly $500,000 in cash found at his home was money which he kept on hand because his parents grew up in Cuba and were afraid that their property would be confiscated.

“For 30 years, I withdrew thousands of dollars in cash from my personal savings account, which I kept for emergencies and because my family faced confiscation in Cuba,” he said in his first comments since then. por. the charges were made public last Friday.

“It may seem old-fashioned now, but this was money taken from my personal savings account based on the income I had legitimately earned over those 30 years.”

The influential 69-year-old was required to relinquish his role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a ruling imposed on anyone facing criminal charges. He could return to that role if found not guilty.

Mr. Menendez, the senior senator from New Jersey whose parents moved to the United States in the early 1950s, has rejected calls for him to step down. member of the upper house.

Democrats who made the call included Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. For now, most of his colleagues in the Senate have said the criminal trial should end.

Mr. Menendez, his wife and three business associates are charged with three crimes, including taking bribes. conspiracy.

Egypt's benefit

The group is accused of working together to use Mr. Menendez's powers as a senator for personal gain, as well as for the benefit of Egypt.

Prosecutors say the bribes included gold, cash, mortgage payments and a luxury car. When the indictment was dropped last week, it contained images of gold bars said to have been found in his home.

On Monday, Mr. Menendez said his testimony showed he had always took a hard line towards Egypt.

p>

“If you look at my actions related to Egypt during the period described in this indictment and throughout my career, my the track record is clear and consistent in holding Egypt accountable,” he said.

This is the second time he has been charged with federal crimes. In 2015, the jury failed to reach a verdict.

In his statement, he added: “I understand that this will be the biggest battle, but as I have stated throughout this trial, I firmly believe that When all the facts are presented, I will not only be exonerated, but I will remain New Jersey's senior senator.»