Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been indicted for allegedly accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, according to federal prosecutors.

The bars, which were valued at approximately $400,000, were allegedly given to him by a developer and former bank chairman, Fred Daibes, a felon who was facing federal bank charges. Daibes allegedly bribed Mendez in exchange for assistance in his case.

Instead of facing over 10 years in prison, Daibes only ended up serving probation after striking an agreement with the US Attorney's Office in New Jersey.

"For purposes of the Federal Extortion Act, it makes no difference if the senator took an official act so long as he accepted the money and there was knowledge the money was in exchange for that official influence, even if he never carried out what he had promised he would do," according to NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos.

Menendez disclosed that his family had accepted gold bars in 2020. Daibes encountered bank fraud charges that could have netted him up to a decade in prison for lying about a nearly $2 million loan from Mariner's Bank, where Daibes served as chairman.

Last year, however, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to let Daibes plead guilty to one count and serve probation. They said Daibes had repaid the loan. -Fox News

According to the report, Menendez is 'close' with US Attorney Philip Sellinger - having supported him for the position, while Sellinger had previously raised funds for Menendez's campaign.

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