US Senator Bob Menendez resigns after corruption conviction

US Senator Bob Menendez resigns in the aftermath of his conviction on corruption charges including bribery and acting as an agent for Egypt’s government, bowing to pressure from fellow Democrats to give up the job.
Democratic New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will appoint a replacement for Menendez, who has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2006 and served as chairman of the influential Foreign Relations Committee before giving up that post after being charged last year.
Menendez, 70, was found guilty on July 16 by a jury in Manhattan federal court on all 16 criminal counts he faced — also including obstruction of justice, wire fraud and extortion — after a nine-week trial. Two co-defendants also were convicted.
Menendez’s resignation letter is read out loud on the Senate floor.