Former US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez has been found guilty of accepting bribes, extortion, obstructing an investigation and acting as an agent of a foreign state. It turns out that he accepted bribes in cash and gold bars, while referring to bitcoin as a tool for criminals.
Bob Menendez is guilty!
Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat, was found guilty by a federal jury in Manhattan on all 16 charges, including accepting bribes, extortion, obstructing an investigation and acting as an agent of a foreign power.
I will immediately explain one issue that often escapes Polish readers. So far, the jury has issued a verdict. However, the politician’s final fate will be decided by the court. Of course, it is doubtful that the senator will escape Themis. The only question is what sentence he will ultimately receive. He faces up to 20 years in prison for the charges brought against him. We are talking about a 70-year-old, so such a sentence is practically life imprisonment.
What exactly are Menendez’s sins? As the investigation revealed, “he promised and took a series of actions on behalf of Egypt, including on behalf of representatives of the Egyptian military and intelligence services.” He passed sensitive information to the latter. His wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, and businessman Wael Hana were involved in the procedure. Both acted as “conduits” between the Egyptian services and the senator.
The Menendez received bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in return. All in cash and gold bars. And then there was… a Mercedes C300.
The senator achieved the lifting of the arms embargo on Egypt through his illegal lobbying. He also tried to get the US to provide Tel Aviv with military aid worth $300 million. The politician’s positive statements about Egypt in the media were a bonus.
Interestingly, Menendez did not turn out to be a hero in the courtroom. He tried to blame… his wife, 57-year-old Nadine Menendez. She was supposed to be behind the conspiracy.
Bitcoin Enemy
The senator was a very influential member of the Democratic Party and… an enemy of bitcoin. In 2017, he said that cryptocurrency was the “ideal” solution for criminals. As it turns out, he himself – as a person breaking the law – chose more anonymous solutions – gold and cash.
