New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has shot down claims that he told allies he plans to resign following his conviction on federal bribery charges.
“I can tell you that I have not resigned nor have I spoken to any so called allies,” Menendez told CBS News on Wednesday. “Seems to me that there is an effort to try to force me into a statement. Anyone who knows me knows that’s the worst way to achieve a goal with me.”
Menendez, 70, was convicted on 16 counts for trading his political power to benefit three Garden State businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar in exchange for hundreds of thousands in cash, gold bars and gifts.
NBC News reported Tuesday that Menendez planned to resign from his Senate seat, which he has held since 2006, citing “two unnamed sources “directly familiar with those conversations.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was among the voices demanding for Menendez to step down from his role.
“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign,” Schumer said in a statement.