Bob Menendez slammed for filing to run as independent candidate while facing trial on criminal charges

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Bob Menendez (D-NJ) filed a petition to run for reelection as an independent candidate while being on trial for federal bribery charges, reported Fox News.

According to the publication, the 3-term Senator who was required to collect 800 signatures for his petition submitted 2,465, and was listed by the New Jersey Division of Elections as a candidate in the November 5 election.

Speculations surrounding Bob Menendez's candidacy

Menendez had reportedly stated back in March that he would not be filing for the Democrat Senate primary after multiple criminal charges were leveled against him.

Instead, he shared his intention of running as an independent if he gets exonerated from the charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, bribery, acting as a foreign agent, extortion, and honest services fraud, during his trial which began in May.

Trial of Sen Bob Menendez

The presently Democratic Senator allegedly accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz, to act in favor of various business persons and the governments of Qatar and Egypt. He has also been accused of committing conspiracy, bribery, extortion, wire fraud, and acting as a foreign agent.

His co-defendants include his wife Nadine, and two New Jersey businessmen, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana. While they have all pleaded not guilty, another defendant Jose Uribe reportedly pleaded the other way and agreed to testify against the rest.

The trial for Nadine is expected to start in July because of concerns surrounding her health.

Sen Bob Menendez slammed for his reelection decision

Reacting to the news of Menendez filing to run for reelection, a reader wrote on the Fox News website, "What a delusional person Bob is. The sad thing is he will still get votes."

"He's scum," stated another.

"Return to sender. The Democrats can keep him!" jibed a third.

"Can’t keep his hands out of the cookie jar," mocked a fourth reader.

"Bob, whatever it takes to stay in power...right?" mentioned a fifth.