Menendez faced with new obstruction crime allegations in amended indictment

Senator Bob Menendez and his wife are facing new obstruction of justice charges, accusing them of accepting gold bars, cash, and a luxury car in exchange for favors the senator provided to three businessmen.

The latest charges were added to a revised indictment against the Democratic senator in a New York federal court.

The new charges include conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice for both Menendez and his wife, Nadine.

The existing indictment alleges that the couple conspired with the businessmen to receive bribes in exchange for the senator’s assistance with the businessmen’s projects. Menendez and his wife have pleaded not guilty, along with two of the businessmen, and a trial has been scheduled for May.

One of the businessmen pleaded guilty to charges last week and has agreed to testify against the others at trial.

Following his arrest, Menendez, 70, had to give up his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but stated that he would not resign from Congress.

According to the indictment, Menendez and his wife accepted gold bars and cash from a real estate developer in exchange for the senator’s assistance in securing a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund.

Menendez also faces charges of aiding another New Jersey business associate in obtaining a lucrative deal with the government of Egypt.