Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty in corruption trial

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was found guilty on Tuesday of federal bribery charges accusing him of accepting "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in bribes in exchange for wielding his influence to benefit foreign governments and a trio of businessmen, per multiple outlets.

Why it matters: Menendez — who filed to run for re-election last month — now faces possible expulsion from the Senate as well as decades in prison.

The big picture: Menendez was found guilty on all 16 felony counts to which he had pleaded not guilty.

He and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were initially indicted last September alongside New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes.

Prosecutors accused the senator of accepting "hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes" — including in gold bars — while using his position to enrich the co-conspirators as well as the government of Egypt.