Convicted Senator Bob Menendez Will Resign, Effective August 20: Reports

 Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will resign his seat effective August 20, several outlets have reported, and an official resignation letter could come as early as Tuesday afternoon.

“Breaking news: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) plans to resign effective Aug. 20, according to two people briefed on the decision, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations,” The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

Menendez has faced a number of calls to step down since he was convicted on 16 counts including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent — a verdict he still says was reached erroneously.

“Obviously, I’m deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision. I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal,” the New Jersey senator said immediately after he was convicted.

 

Menendez faces sentencing on October 29, and the most serious of the charges — extortion and wire fraud — carry sentences of up to 20 years. All sentences are likely to run concurrently, but if a judge were to order that they ran consecutively, Menendez could face up to 222 years behind bars.

Following Menendez’ conviction, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined with those who had already called for him to resign: “In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign.”

Menendez’ wife Nadine was also charged and has pleaded “not guilty,” but her trial has been delayed indefinitely due to health issues.