New Jersey files lawsuit to block Armenophile Menendez from holding public office for life Echo of a corruption scandal

New Jersey prosecutors have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez from holding public office or any government position in the state for life. 

The lawsuit was filed in Mercer County Superior Court by the state Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability on May 5. It calls for Menendez to be permanently disqualified from running for or applying for public office or employment within the state, including municipal government positions, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

The suit also suggests that if Menendez, 71, attempts to run for office or seek government employment, he should be held in contempt of court. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin emphasized that Menendez had "abused his high-ranking position in the U.S. Senate for his own personal and financial benefit," and that the lawsuit aims to prevent him from holding any future public office in New Jersey.

Earlier this year, Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison following his conviction in a bribery scandal. The case involved Menendez accepting nearly $1 million in bribes from three businessmen in exchange for political favours. These included a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible for his wife, Nadine Menendez, and working as a foreign agent on behalf of the Egyptian government.

The investigation uncovered significant evidence, including $480,000 in cash and $150,000 in gold bars seized during an FBI raid at the Menendez home in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, in 2022. These items were used as evidence during the federal bribery trial, which resulted in the convictions of Menendez, his wife, and the three businessmen involved in the scheme.

Two of the businessmen, Fred Daibes, a wealthy developer, and Wael "Will" Hana, were sentenced to long prison terms and hefty fines. Daibes received a seven-year sentence and was fined $1.75 million, while Hana was sentenced to eight years and fined $1.25 million. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, a former insurance executive, pleaded guilty to various charges and is awaiting sentencing.

Nadine Menendez, who married Robert Menendez in 2020, was convicted of all charges related to the bribery scheme last month. She was initially set to stand trial alongside her husband and the three businessmen but had her trial delayed due to a breast cancer diagnosis. Prosecutors highlighted her role in facilitating communication between Menendez, the businessmen, and Egyptian officials.

By Khagan Isayev