Bob Menendez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges alleging that he conspired to act as an agent of the Egyptian government while he chaired the Senate foreign relations committee. Menendez appeared before Judge Sidney Stein at federal court in lower Manhattan, asserting his innocence by saying "not guilty." A trial, tentatively scheduled for May, will see Stein preside over the case.

Last month, Menendez stepped down from his influential position as head of the Senate committee after being charged. Prosecutors claim that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted bribes consisting of cash, gold bars, and a luxury car over the past five years from three New Jersey businessmen, in exchange for various corrupt acts.

Menendez, who has maintained his loyalty to the United States, has resisted calls from over 30 national Democrats to resign. Even fellow New Jersey senator Cory Booker, known for his strong loyalty to Menendez, joined the chorus of voices demanding Menendez's resignation last month.

The recent superseding indictment added a charge alleging that Menendez, his wife, and one of the businessmen conspired to have Menendez act as an agent of the Egyptian government and its officials. As a member of Congress, Menendez is prohibited from acting as an agent for any foreign government.

The allegations against Menendez include passing information to the Egyptians about the US embassy staff in Cairo, ghostwriting a letter on behalf of Egypt to sway fellow senators, and urging the US Department of State to become more involved in international negotiations that Egypt opposed, among other actions.

Last week, Nadine Menendez and businessman Wael Hana both pleaded not guilty to the superseding indictment. They are charged with conspiring with the senator to utilize him as an agent of the Egyptian government and its officials. If convicted, they face a potential penalty of up to five years in prison.

In a separate development, during a raid on Menendez's home in the summer of 2022, federal prosecutors discovered a significant sum of money. Authorities found nearly $500,000 in cash hidden in jacket pockets, closets, and a safe. Additionally, they uncovered 13 gold bars, including two weighing 1kg each, and a Mercedes-Benz in the garage.

The legal proceedings against Bob Menendez are being closely watched, given his stature within the Democratic Party. His upcoming trial will shed light on the allegations of corruption and acting as an agent of a foreign government, with potential consequences for his political career and the wider implications for political ethics in the United States.