Senior senator refuses to leave despite bribery accusations

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Top US politician and Senator Bob Menendez, accused of corruption, on Monday denied all accusations of accepting bribes.

Democrat Menendez said, among other things, that the nearly $500,000 – equivalent to 5.5 million kroner – found during the search of the house is cash that may be needed in a crisis situation. He denied the accusations against him of bribes and kickbacks.

Despite his party’s demands, Menendez said he has no intention of leaving his seat in the US Congress.

However, Menendez, of New Jersey, has resigned from his position as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee since authorities opened a federal corruption case against him.

He is accused, among other things, of accepting bribes from Egypt in exchange for his assistance in the country’s affairs. In his first comment on the case, Menendez said that he was strict with the Egyptian authorities and the government regarding issues of human rights violations.

Menendez appeared at a college in his former hometown of Union City in his home state of New Jersey.

Democrat Bob Menendez said: “I realize this will be the toughest fight yet, but I said I will remain a New Jersey senator when all the facts are known.”

The formal charges against him were announced on Friday.