Indicted Sen. Robert Menendez Fabricated Story About How He Obtained Gold Bars Found At His House, Prosecutors Say

In a new court filing, federal prosecutors made new allegations against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) and his wife, Nadine Menendez, that accused them of fabricating a “false cover story” regarding the origin of gold bars believed to be the result of bribes from foreign agents.

According to court documents, Nadine informed a jeweler that the gold bars were inherited from her late mother. A Menendez staffer reported that the senator himself attempted to assert the same claim, and insisted that the gold originated from Nadine’s deceased mother. However, these explanations appear fake, as the gold bars were clearly stamped with the name “Menendez.”

Furthermore, prosecutors revealed that four of the gold bars shared serial numbers with those purportedly owned by Fred Daibes, a New Jersey real estate tycoon and one of the senator’s alleged bribers.

The recent court filing also sheds light on additional details of Menendez’s alleged bribery scheme. Nadine’s diamond engagement ring was part of a $150,000 bribe, prosecutors say. Cash was discovered in various hiding spots throughout the couple’s home, concealed within boots, jackets and bags hung on clothes hangers. Prosecutors also noted that Menendez frequently made calls using Nadine’s alternate cell phone, humorously referred to as her “007” phone, a reference to the fictional character James Bond.

Menendez and his wife face accusations of acting as foreign agents for Egypt, receiving substantial sums of cash, gold bars and luxurious gifts in exchange for Menendez’s influence and protection of Egyptian businessmen and government officials.

In a superseding indictment filed in January, Menendez was further charged with corruption-related offenses, which included allegations that he accepted bribes from Qatar to assist Daibes in securing a multimillion-dollar investment from a Middle Eastern investment company. Menendez, Nadine and Daibes have all entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.

Despite the public pressure and polls that indicate 70 percent of New Jersey residents want his resignation, Menendez has adamantly refused to step down and has even announced his candidacy for reelection in 2024. However, due to Senate Democrats’ bylaws which prohibit members charged with felonies from serving in leadership roles, Menendez was forced to resign as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Menendez still attends classified briefings despite his indictment.

Last month, MSNBC had to pull Menendez’s daughter, TV anchor Alicia Menendez, off the air when it reported on the senator’s superseding indictment.

These allegations of corruption are not new for Menendez. In 2017, he faced another corruption trial that involved a wealthy eye doctor convicted of Medicare fraud. In the end, jurors failed to reach a verdict on whether Menendez had exchanged political favors for lavish trips on a private jet and extravagant vacations.