BriberyCrimeGeneral NewsIndictmentsRobert MenendezU.S. News Four Individuals, Including Wife of Sen. Bob Menendez, Enter Not Guilty Pleas to Amended Bribery Accusations by Ethan Kim October 19, 2023 written by Ethan Kim October 19, 2023 0 comments Bookmark 37 Four individuals connected to the criminal bribery case against U.S. Senator Bob Menendez entered pleas of not guilty in a New York City courtroom on Wednesday. The amended indictment accuses Sen. Menendez, his spouse Nadine Menendez, and a third defendant, Wael Hana, of conspiring to serve as agents of the Egyptian government. Sen. Menendez, who stepped down from his role as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following his arrest last month, was not present at the federal court hearing in Manhattan due to Senate obligations. He is expected to appear in court next Monday. Those who entered the not guilty pleas include Nadine Menendez and businessperson Wael Hana. The updated indictment, filed last week, adds a new charge against Menendez, his wife, and Hana, alleging they plotted to act on behalf of the Egyptian government, an action prohibited for a U.S. congressional member. The previous indictment accused Sen. Menendez and his wife of being involved in a bribery scheme, accepting financial incentives including cash, gold bars, and a high-end vehicle from three businesspersons based in New Jersey. These businessmen sought Sen. Menendez’s influence in international relations matters. During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Sidney H. Stein rejected a petition from Hana to remove a GPS tracking device from his leg. Hana’s request was denied due to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Richenthal’s contention that Hana, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Egypt and possesses more than $25 million in overseas assets, posed a flight risk due to his strong ties to the Egyptian government. Lawrence Lustberg, Hana’s attorney, argued that the ankle monitor was cumbersome and disrupted his client’s sleep, describing it as “an oppressive requirement that is, in our opinion, unnecessary.” Lustberg asserted that Hana is committed to remaining in the United States and is eager to prove his innocence in the trial set for May 6. Richenthal stated that the prosecution had consented to a $5 million bail arrangement for Hana. The agreement came despite the charges against Hana being non-extraditable in Egypt, on the condition that he would wear the GPS device and provide considerable property and cash as collateral for his bail. The revised indictment outlines that between January 2018 and June 2022, the accused trio took a sequence of actions in Egypt’s interest, including liaising with Egyptian military and intelligence officials. Sen. Menendez declared in a statement last week that he plans to “vindicate his innocence You Might Be Interested In About 13,000 workers go on strike seeking better wages and benefits from Detroit’s three automakers GOP Members Show Disagreement Over the Unprecedented Expulsion of McCarthy from Speaker Role, According to AP-NORC Survey Live updates | Israeli warplanes hit refugee camps in Gaza Strip, killing scores Two ex-Proud Boys leaders get some of longest sentences in Jan. 6 Capitol attack Supreme Court to Determine if Judicial Overreach Has Occurred in Revoking Gun Laws Relocated Christopher Columbus Statue Resurfaces in Adjacent Rhode Island Town briberyCrimeGeneral NewsIndictmentsRobert Menendez Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Ethan Kim Follow Author Ethan Kim is a world news reporter who covers breaking news stories from around the globe. He has reported on everything from natural disasters to international conflicts, and he is dedicated to bringing his readers accurate and timely information. previous post Rep. Jim Jordan’s Latest Bid for House Speaker Falls Short, Prompting GOP to Reevaluate Options next post Video Reveals Confrontation Leading to Fatal Shooting of Previously Exonerated Man by Georgia Deputy You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ