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Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and two businessmen have asked a federal judge to overturn their bribery convictions or grant a new trial.
Let’s bring you up to speed: Last month, Senator Menendez was found guilty on 16 charges, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, after a two-month federal corruption trial. Prosecutors revealed that authorities discovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and other valuable gifts in Menendez’s home, alleged to be bribes from businessmen seeking his political influence. At the time of his indictment, Menendez chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

What’s going on now: Sen. Bob Menendez’s legal team is appealing his conviction, arguing that the verdict should be overturned or a new trial granted because the prosecution relied on “speculation masked as inference” instead of concrete evidence. His lawyers claim the government failed to prove any direct agreement between Menendez and the businessmen to exchange political favors for gifts. They also argue that the prosecution overstepped by violating the “speech or debate” clause, which grants lawmakers certain immunities.
Is he still in the Senate?: After Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted, top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, quickly pressured him to resign. Facing mounting pressure and the possibility of decades in prison, Menendez ultimately announced his resignation, which will begin on August 21st.