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WATCH: Sen. Bob Menendez pushes back against corruption charges

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Sen. Bob Menendez delivered a lengthy defense Tuesday after federal prosecutors expanded their bribery case against the New Jersey Democrat, who is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and goods in exchange for political favors.

“After 50 years of public service, this is not how I wanted to celebrate my Golden Jubilee,” the senator said in a nearly 20-minute response from the Senate floor. “But I have never violated the public trust. I have been a patriot for and of my country.”

Prosecutors formally charged the senator and wife, Nadine Menendez, in September for aiding the government of Egypt in an alleged bribery scheme that involved taking gold bars, a luxury vehicle and cash in exchange for his political influence.

Prosecutors have since revised the indictment two more times. In October, they accused the former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair of conspiring as a foreign agent by working in Egypt’s interests. Last week, another superseding federal indictment accused him of using his power to help the government of Qatar. Menendez has denied the charges.

Facing calls from some Senate Democrats to resign, Menendez also pushed back against prosecutors from the Senate floor.

"The United States Attorney's Office is engaged not in a prosecution, but a persecution. They seek a victory, not justice," he said in his defiant remarks.

The trial is scheduled to start in May.

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Category
U.S. & Canada
Tags
Menendez, Bob Menendez, Senator Menendez
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