Bob Menendez Allegedly Accepts Bribes to Help Qatari Investment Deal
New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, already facing sensational charges related to the acceptance of illicit cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes Benz car, is now confronted with new corruption allegations. Win McNamee/Getty Images

A federal grand jury has issued a second superseding indictment against Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), building on previous accusations of bribery, NBC News reports.

The fresh charges assert that Menendez made favorable statements about Qatar, aiming to facilitate a multimillion-dollar Qatari investment deal for a New Jersey developer tied to the country.

The indicted developer, Fred Daibes, is implicated in the case alongside Menendez.

During discussions for the investment in late 2021 through 2022, Menendez allegedly expressed support for Qatar.

The indictment claims Menendez provided Daibes with these statements to share with a Qatari investor and a government official linked to the Qatari Investment Company.

Prosecutors allege that Daibes and Menendez exchanged text messages regarding the scheme.

In September 2021, Daibes reportedly sent Menendez photos of luxury watches valued between $9,990 and $23,990, inquiring if Menendez was interested.

Following Menendez's trip to Qatar in October 2021, he allegedly searched for the value of one kilogram of gold, per CBS News.

Meanwhile, Daibes was texting Menendez about a Senate resolution supportive of Qatar, according to prosecutors.

Months later, as Daibes prepared to meet the Qatari investor in London, Menendez allegedly texted both parties, expressing hope for a favorable agreement.

The indictment reveals a private meeting between Menendez, Daibes, and the Qataris in March 2022.

Subsequently, the Qataris signed a letter of intent to engage in business with Daibes, who purportedly gifted Menendez at least one gold bar.

The indictment contends that Menendez continued to receive valuable items from the Qataris, including tickets for relatives to the Formula One Grand Prix race in Miami.

Bob Menendez's Legal Battles and Past Controversies

Senator Menendez, previously charged with acting as an unregistered agent for Egypt, resigned as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year, according to The Guardian.

Despite ongoing legal challenges, he has not resigned or committed to not seeking re-election this year.

Senator Bob Menendez has previously overcome a corruption investigation, as a jury deadlocked in 2017 in a case involving connections between the senator and a Florida eye doctor.

His next trial is scheduled for May.

Amidst recent controversies, Menendez has been linked to George Santos, a former Republican congressman expelled after an ethics committee report.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman paid Santos to record a supportive message for Menendez, sparking further scrutiny.

"Hey, Bobby!" Santos said. "I don't think I need to tell you, but these people who want to make you get in trouble and want to kick you out and make you run away, you make them put up or shut up. You stand your ground, sir, and don't get bogged down by all the haters out there."

In response, Menendez said he did not believe Fetterman's donors would appreciate him financially supporting George Santos.

Judge Denies Bob Menendez's Request for Trial Delay

Bob Menendez's legal team sought a trial delay from May to July, citing the extensive evidence provided by the prosecution, totaling over 6.7 million documents.

However, Judge Sidney H. Stein denied the request, maintaining the May 5 trial date, AP noted.

The recent indictment does not necessitate the provision of additional evidence to the defense, according to prosecutors.

Former Assistant US Attorney Chris Grammicioni noted the government's apparent eagerness to proceed quickly, emphasizing the court's agreement with this stance, as per NJ Spotlight News.

"Two months is not much of a delay, considering the number of documents and discoveries I think were in the millions [of pages]," Grammicioni commented. "I was surprised that the continuance wasn't granted."

He added, "The government must have a strong position of wanting to go forward at the earliest possible date, and the court agreed."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: BREAKING: Sen. Bob Menendez faces new allegations of aiding Qatari government - From NBC News