TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called for the resignation of embattled U.S. Senator Robert Menendez after the New Jersey representative was indicted on federal corruption and bribery charges.
Federal officials found gold bars, a Mercedes Benz, and nearly $500,000 in cash stuffed in a jacket inside the senator’s home.
“The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system. Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process,” Murphy said today. “However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.”
Menendez has skirted federal charges before and his team is confident he will once again escape justice.
“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades,” Menendez said. “This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere.”