New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob and Nadine Arslanian Menendez have been charged with corruption-related offences for the second time in 10 years, CNN reports.
According to the report by CNN, Bob and Nadine Arslanian Menendez, were indicted on bribery offences “in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen,” the US attorney in New York tweeted.
Prosecutors with the US attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York have been investigating whether Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, or his wife received improper gifts, among other things.
Menendez has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. In April, he told CNN, “This inquiry will end up, I believe, in absolutely nothing.”
This is the second set of corruption charges levied against Menendez by the Justice Department in a decade. He previously fought off conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud related to alleged personal favours.
Senate Democratic Caucus rules will force Menendez to step aside as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, but he can still serve on the panel, CNN reported.