Senator Bob Menendez Found Guilty on All Corruption Charges

Jury Convicts New Jersey Democrat After Five-Week Trial

Former Powerhouse Politician Faces Years in Prison

A federal jury has found Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) guilty on all 16 counts in his corruption trial. The charges include bribery, conspiracy, extortion, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent. Menendez is the first sitting U.S. senator to be convicted of a felony since 1980.

The prosecution alleged that Menendez accepted bribes from a wealthy donor in exchange for using his influence to help the donor's business interests. Menendez's defense team argued that the senator was simply trying to help his friend and that he did not receive any personal benefit from the deal.

The jury deliberated for five days before reaching a verdict. Menendez faces up to 25 years in prison on the bribery charges alone. He has vowed to appeal the conviction.