Democrat Sen Menendez pleads not guilty to 12 new charges, including obstruction, in corruption case

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., pleaded not guilty on Monday to the latest indictment he faces with a dozen new charges, including obstruction of justice and extortion.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan heard his not-guilty plea on Monday, per Reuters. 

In addition to the extortion and obstruction charges, Menendez was indicted last week on charges of bribery and acting as a foreign agent.

The latest indictment came days after Menendez associate Jose Uribe pleaded guilty to seven charges related to the bribery allegations against the New Jersey Democratic senator. 

Menendez's trial is scheduled for May 6.

Menendez, who has faced multiple indictments related to an alleged bribery scheme since September 2023, has maintained his innocence, as has his wife, who was also charged. 

Menendez has defied calls to resign in light of the allegations, although he did step down from his position as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman.

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