According to the indictment, the senator and his wife took bribes, including 13 gold bars, from New Jersey businessmen with Egyptian ties. 

According to court documents, the Sen. and Mrs. Menendez accepted the gold, along with cash and an automobile from three prominent Egyptian businessmen in exchange for the senator's influence. Menendez also allegedly provided "sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt," as part of the bribery scheme. 

According to the indictment, a June 2022 raid at the couple's New Jersey home found "over $480,000 in cash – much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe." Police also found two 1-kg gold bars along with 11 1-ounce gold bars.

At the time of the indictment, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Menendez and his wife wielded "power and influence to protect and enrich the businessmen and benefit the government of Egypt."

After the conviction, Williams said, "This case has always been about shocking levels of corruption.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes, including gold, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz. This wasn't politics as usual; this was politics for profit."

Menendez continues to maintain his innocence, saying he was "deeply disappointed" in the jury's decision. 

"I have never violated my oath. I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country. I have never, ever been a foreign agent," he said.

Menendez's attorney claimed the cash and gold weren't bribes but gifts to the couple in "lean times." In his closing arguments, he asserted, "His actions were lawful, normal, and good for the country."