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21:26 GMT
NEW YORK, July 16 (KUNA) -- A federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday convicted Senator Robert (Bob) Menendez of the 16 counts of corruption case, including receiving hundreds of thousands of US dollars in bribes.
The conviction followed 12-hour debate at the court over the past three days. The case was assigned to US District Judge Sidney H. Stein.
During the hearing, the Democratic Senator of New Jersey, 70, pleaded innocent of all charges that included as well abuse of his official position to protect foreign accomplices in the case and obstruct justice.
Announcing his indictment on September 22, attorneys said Menendez, his wife Nadine and three New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes participated in a years-long bribery scheme.
After his indictment, Menendez was forced to step down as Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee but continued to act as member of the committee. (end)
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