Washington, D.C. – After Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was indicted on federal bribery charges, Patrick Gaspard, president of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
The federal indictment against Sen. Menendez is sweeping and damning. Although he is entitled to a presumption of innocence until the legal process plays out, it is sobering to review the credible facts alleging several corrupt schemes that enriched him and his wife and violated his oath of office. To make matters worse, he allegedly sought to help the government of Egypt when that country was unlawfully detaining and torturing American citizens.
These allegations suggest that he placed his own personal interests, and those of Egypt’s authoritarian government, above the United States’ national security and democratic process. As the senator faces the charges against him, he should demonstrate his commitment to our democracy by resigning from office.
For more information, or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].