Gold Bar Bob Due Today in Federal Court to Face Bribery, Corruption, Extortion Charges

by
September 27, 2023
···

UNION CITY, NJ – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday on charges of bribery, as demands for his resignation from fellow Democrats grow. Menendez, 69, and his wife, Nadine Menendez, 56, are accused of accepting gold bars and cash to leverage the senator’s influence for Egypt’s government and to obstruct law enforcement investigations into three New Jersey businessmen.

Along with Menendez, businessmen Jose Uribe, 56, and Fred Daibes, 66, are also due in court at 10:30 a.m. EDT. A third businessman, Wael Hana, 40, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday. Nadine Menendez intends to plead not guilty, according to her attorney, David Schertler.

Menendez has stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but vows to stay in the Senate and fight the charges. Over one-third of Democratic Senators, including New Jersey’s Cory Booker, have called for his resignation since the charges were made public last week.

Democrats hold a narrow majority in the Senate, controlling 51 seats, including three independents who generally vote with them, compared to the Republicans’ 49 seats. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, has called for Menendez to step down and would appoint a temporary replacement if he does so.

The indictment includes images of gold bars and cash seized from the Menendez residence. Prosecutors allege that Hana coordinated meetings between Menendez and Egyptian officials, who sought the senator’s approval for military aid, in return for placing Nadine Menendez on a company payroll.

This is the third federal investigation into Menendez, who has not been previously convicted.

Phil Stilton
Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

  1. New Jersey Town Where ICE Agent Was Run Down Passes Resolution Urging Repeal of Sanctuary State Policies
  2. New Jersey Dem Lawmakers Move to Expand Assault Rifle Ban As Court Rules Existing Law Unconstitutional
  3. FIFA Is Now Selling World Cup Grass Paid for by New Jersey Taxpayers
  4. Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Risk, and Possible EF2 Tornado Threat Across New Jersey Today