Allegations surrounding the recovery of four gold bars, reportedly linked to a bribery case involving Senator Bob Menendez, have sparked significant controversy and calls for his expulsion from the Senate. The retrieved gold bars were found to bear identical serial numbers to those stolen during an armed robbery reported by businessman Fred Daibes in 2013. Daibes, a figure implicated in the federal indictment for allegedly conspiring to bribe Menendez and engaging in fraud, had his stolen property returned, including 22 gold bars that bore unique serial numbers.
According to Daibes, each gold bar was distinctly stamped with its own serial number, making duplication impossible. Shockingly, four of the gold bars recovered from Menendez’s residence reportedly matched the serial numbers of the gold bars taken during the robbery. This revelation has raised questions about the chain of custody surrounding these gold bars and their association with the alleged bribery scheme involving Menendez, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes.
NBC legal analyst Danny Cevallas suggested that the apparent connection between the recovered gold bars and Menendez’s case could pose a significant challenge for the senator, particularly regarding the chain of custody, which seems relatively easy to establish. This development has added to the mounting pressure for Menendez’s removal from the Senate, with calls coming from Senator John Fetterman. Fetterman argued that if former Rep. George Santos could be expelled by the House of Representatives, Menendez should face similar consequences, given the serious nature of the allegations against him.
Fetterman emphasized concerns over Menendez’s alleged ties to bribery and his purported allegiance to Egypt rather than serving the interests of New Jersey. He called for Menendez’s expulsion, expressing a view that Menendez should not retain the privilege of Senate membership amid such serious accusations. Fetterman’s remarks underscore the growing demand within certain political circles for decisive action against Menendez, casting a shadow of doubt over his continued tenure in the Senate despite the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
