Senate Ethics Committee Initiates Review of Sen. Menendez After Conviction

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, (D-N.J.), and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez arrive at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, in New York City, on Sept. 27, 2023. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON—The Senate Ethics Committee will launch a review into ethics violations of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), committee leaders said on July 22, less than a week after Mr. Menendez was convicted on charges including bribery, corruption, and acting as a foreign agent.

“Earlier today, the Committee notified Senator Menendez through his counsel that members voted unanimously to initiate an adjudicatory review of his alleged violations of Senate Rules. The Committee anticipates completing the adjudicatory review promptly,” committee chairman Christopher Coons (D-Del.) and Vice Chairman James Lankford (R-Okla.) said in the statement.

The committee had said on July 16 it was considering the “full range of disciplinary actions available,” which stretch from censure to expulsion from the Senate.

The committee would need a two-thirds majority in the Senate to expel Mr. Menendez but would only need a majority vote to impose censure. Mr. Menendez could also be ejected from the Foreign Relations Committee. He stepped down as chair of the committee at the time of his indictment.

This fallout stems from Mr. Menendez’s trial and July 16 conviction on charges of bribery and corruption. Authorities alleged that, while he was still chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, he and his wife Nadine received payoffs from New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes to provide influence for their interests, and those of the Egyptian government.

Mr. Hana and Mr. Daibes were convicted of 18 charges; Mr. Uribe pleaded guilty to seven counts, including wire fraud and conspiracy.

A June 2022 FBI raid of Mr. Menendez’s home found more than $480,000 in cash, as well as gold bars and a Mercedes Benz, all alleged bribes paid to him and his wife by the three businessmen. His wife is to be tried separately, but that proceeding has been suspended indefinitely as she is battling breast cancer.

Mr. Menendez is due to be sentenced in October, but says he will appeal his conviction. If the conviction stands he faces 20 years in prison on the most grave charges.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy have asked Mr. Menendez to resign. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) called for him to step down at the time of his indictment.

Mr. Menendez is also up for reelection in November, but is not expected to win. On June 3 he withdrew from the Democrat ticket and filed to run as an independent.

He faces an uphill battle against Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Republican challenger Curtis Bashaw. Recent polling showed Mr. Menendez picking up only 3 points in that three-way contest. The same poll showed he had just a 4 percent approval rating.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Senate Ethics Committee and Mr. Menendez’s office for comment.

Beth Brelje contributed to this report.