Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is slated to resign on August 20, according to two individuals familiar with the decision, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
On July 17, the long-time Democratic lawmaker was found guilty of all 16 felony counts in Manhattan federal court – including bribery, fraud, foreign agent activity, and obstruction of justice. He allegedly collected cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for political influence that benefited three businessmen as well as the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
Menendez said last Wednesday that he would leave the Senate as a result of his criminal conviction, but he did not specify a timetable. After accusations had first surfaced last September, he resigned as the head of the Senate’s powerful foreign affairs committee.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, will nominate a senator to serve out the balance of Mendendez’s term.
Menendez is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29. He is expected to appeal his conviction.
His wife, Nadine Menendez, who was also accused in the case, had her trial separated from that of the senator and the other defendants. Nadine’s study was postponed indefinitely due to surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer.
