Menendez Defiant in Face of Corruption Charges, Claims He Withdrew Wads of Cash for Emergencies

Senator Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) maintained his innocence during a Monday morning press conference, insisting that the extensive corruption allegations laid out in a federal indictment unsealed Friday are false.

Federal investigators found nearly half-a-million dollars in cash and roughly $100,000 in gold bars when they searched Menendez’s New Jersey home in June of last year. The Democratic lawmaker, who stepped down from his post as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, insisted during the press conference that the cash was withdrawn from his personal savings account in case of emergencies.

“For 30 years I have withdrawn thousands of dollars in cash from my personal savings account which I have kept for emergencies, and because of the history of my family facing confiscation in Cuba. Now this may seem old-fashioned, but these were monies [sic] drawn from my personal savings account based on the income that I have lawfully derived over those 30 years.”

Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian are accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, in the form of cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-showjob, and a luxury vehicle, in exchange for political influence that would benefit the Arab Republic of Egypt and enrich three New Jersey businessmen.

During the press conference, Menendez announced that he has no intention to resign and that he plans to remain the senior Senator of the state of New Jersey. He asserted that he was unjustly targeted in the case, due to his upbringing “as the son of Cuban refugees.”

“Everything I’ve accomplished I’ve worked for, despite the naysayers,” he said.

Menendez went on to reference his record on Egypt, stating: “one fact is indisputable…I have stood steadfast on the side of civil society and human rights.” He also rejected the accusation that he has “lost the trust of the people of New Jersey, saying “that couldn’t be more wrong.” He turned to his senatorial record, listing such accomplishments as securing federal aid in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, providing funds to the families of 9/11 victims, and offering benefits to WWII veterans.

Menendez claimed that others have rushed to judgment against him in the case “because they see a political opportunity for themselves and for those around them.” Members of his own party have called on Menendez to resign.

Representative Dean Phillips (D., Minn.) told CNN, “I’m appalled…a member of Congress who appears to have broken the law is someone who I believe should resign.”

Representative Abigail Spanberger (D., V.A.), in a conversation with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Friday, said: “Certainly, he is innocent until proven guilty, but this indictment is damning and he should resign.”

Representative Jeff Jackson (D., N.C.) wrote on X, “The indictment, at minimum, details behavior far below acceptable standards for a U.S. Senator. He should resign.”

While retaining his senate seat, Menendez has “temporarily” stepped down from his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, a move required under Senate Democratic Caucus rules.

Menendez is the first senator in U.S. history to be indicted on two separate criminal charges: once in 2015 and again now. He married Nadine Arslanian in October 2020.