In a federal court testimony on Monday, a New Jersey businessman implicated in a bribery case involving Senator Bob Menendez claimed that the Democrat assured him in 2019 that he would address a state criminal investigation affecting the businessman’s interests.

Jose Uribe stated that he believed Menendez was aware of payments he made towards a Mercedes-Benz for Menendez’s girlfriend, who later married the senator.

Prosecutors allege these payments, along with gold bars and cash found in the couple’s home, were bribes intended to leverage Menendez’s influence for financial gain between 2018 and 2023.

Menendez’s defense argues that his actions were typical of a senator serving constituents and supporting state interests, the Associated Press has reported.

Despite facing charges and losing his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez has declined calls to resign as New Jersey’s senior senator.

Written by B.C. Begley