US pro-Armenian senator faces bribery charges amid allegations of foreign influence

Senator Robert Menendez is at the center of a high-stakes bribery trial that has unveiled startling claims of foreign influence.

The bribery case against Senator Robert Menendez has exposed a troubling narrative of foreign influence and potential security breaches involving one of Washington's most influential Democrats.

Prosecutors have charged Menendez with acting as an agent of a foreign government, alleging he used his power to direct millions in aid to Egypt while downplaying the country's human rights abuses, all to secure lucrative consulting opportunities for his wife, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

The trial, which has been underway in Manhattan, has brought to light how Egyptian intelligence officials cultivated access to Menendez through his wife, Nadine Menendez. Despite his role as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez’s interactions with Egyptian officials were reportedly facilitated by his wife, who is not a professional intermediary but rather an unemployed former restaurant hostess.

The evidence, including text messages and photos obtained from FBI-seized phones, illustrates the extent of Egyptian intelligence's efforts to integrate into Menendez’s circle. For instance, Egyptian general Ahmed Helmy and his associate, Mai Abdelmaguid, were reportedly in close contact with Nadine Menendez, using personal meetings and gifts to build rapport and influence.

The case has sparked significant concern among US diplomats and security experts, who worry about the broader implications for national security. Former US Air Force intelligence officer Jodi Vittori described the situation as a "massive breach," highlighting the vulnerability posed by the ease of modern communications.

Prosecutors argue that Menendez’s actions, including sharing sensitive information and drafting letters to secure military aid for Egypt, constituted a serious breach of trust and national security. In return, the Menendez couple allegedly received bribes, including gold and cash.

While Menendez has consistently denied the charges, his defense has criticized the case, suggesting that if actual evidence of foreign infiltration existed, it would have been addressed before the current charges were filed.

The case has also shed light on the role of foreign agents and the enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which mandates transparency for those lobbying on behalf of foreign entities. This high-profile trial underscores the ongoing challenge of safeguarding US political institutions from foreign influence while balancing diplomatic relations.