Bob Menendez resigns as chairman of US Senate foreign relations following indictment

A US senator, Robert Menendez, has temporarily stepped down as the head of the powerful foreign relations committee while he faces bribery charges. The justice department alleges that Menendez and his wife accepted bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for supporting Egypt's government. Menendez and his wife deny the charges. However, there are increasing calls for the New Jersey Democrat to resign, including from New Jersey's Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer announced that Menendez had decided to step down as chairman of the influential committee until the matter is resolved. Menendez has previously faced similar charges and temporarily stepped down from his position in 2015, which ended in a mistrial. Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin is expected to temporarily fill the vacancy. Menendez and his spouse are accused of accepting bribes, including cash, gold, payments for their mortgage, and a luxury vehicle, from three businessmen. The indictment alleges that Menendez's position as a senator enabled him to engage in such influence-peddling. Both Menendez and his wife face charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. Menendez and his wife deny any wrongdoing and portray the allegations as politically motivated. However, several top Democrats, including four members of Congress from New Jersey, have called for Menendez's resignation. If he resigns from the Senate, the governor of New Jersey would appoint a temporary replacement. Menendez has vowed that he is not going anywhere. The bribery charges come after a lengthy justice department investigation, during which evidence, including cash, luxury vehicles, and gold bars, was allegedly found at Menendez's home. Both Menendez and his wife have been asked to forfeit several assets as a result of the charges. The businesses owned by the businessmen accused of bribery have not responded to requests for comment. Menendez and his co-defendants are scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court in September.