SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Bob Menendez will step down from the U.S. Senate, in the wake of his recent conviction on federal corruption charges. Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday announced on social media that he had received a letter of resignation from Menendez, informing him of the senator's intention to resign effective Aug. 20.
Immediately after his July 16 conviction, Menendez remained defiant, saying he never violated his public oath and refusing to step down. In the intervening days, however, it seems the senator has caved in to a chorus of calls from top Democrats to leave his seat.
What happens next with his seat is up to Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, who must appoint someone to the Senate for the remainder of the term, which ends on Jan. 3.
Since the primary election in May, Democratic Congressman Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw have been set as the nominees to replace Menendez in the November general election.
Menendez and two other men last week were convicted for their roles in a years-long bribery scheme. Menendez, 70, was convicted of charges that he sold the power of his office to three New Jersey businessmen who sought a variety of favors.
Prosecutors said Menendez used his influence to meddle in three different state and federal criminal investigations to protect his associates. They said he helped one bribe-paying friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund and another keep a contract to provide religious certification for meat bound for Egypt.
He was also convicted of taking actions that benefited Egypt's government in exchange for bribes, including providing details on personnel at the U.S. embassy in Cairo, ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators regarding lifting a hold on military aid to Egypt. FBI agents found stacks of gold bars and $480,000 in cash hidden in Menendez's house.
Menendez faces the possibility of decades in prison. A judge scheduled his sentencing on Oct. 29, a week before the election.