CNN
—
Sen. Bob Menendez declined to say whether or not he’ll resign ought to his forthcoming federal corruption trial lead to a conviction.
The New Jersey Democrat instructed CNN’s Manu Raju on Capitol Hill final week, “I’m wanting ahead to proving my innocence,” when requested repeatedly whether or not he would resign within the face of a possible conviction.
Menendez’s trial is predicted to start with jury choice on Monday. He’s dealing with bribery fees for allegedly taking steps to profit the governments of Egypt and Qatar and assist a number of New Jersey businessmen whereas receiving in change gold bars, money, a luxurious automobile and Components One Grand Prix race tickets.
He has forcefully denied the costs in opposition to him and has stated that he’ll show his innocence whereas claiming that he’s being persecuted by prosecutors.
Menendez will face a jury alongside two New Jersey businessmen who’re co-defendants. His spouse, Nadine, also has been charged however will probably be tried individually.
The trial is scheduled to final a number of weeks, as prosecutors attempt to show that Menendez and the businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, engaged in a wide-ranging corruption scheme to assist the Egyptian and Qatari governments in change for profitable bribes.
Prosecutors, for his or her half, will probably be allowed to indicate the jury proof that Menendez and his spouse allegedly used the cash from their scheme to stay lavishly.
Although Menendez stepped down as chairman of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee final yr, he has rejected calls to resign from his Senate seat.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, the primary Democratic senator to name for Menendez to resign, echoed his earlier statements about Menendez final week, calling the New Jersey Democrat a “sleazeball.”
“He gained’t be round for much longer. That will be my guess,” Fetterman stated.
Whereas Menendez didn’t file for reelection within the Democratic major for his seat, he left open the chance that he may run as an impartial candidate in a video posted in March.