Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez considering resignation, reports say

WASHINGTON ― Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, of New Jersey, has told allies he considering resigning from Congress just one day after he was found guilty of federal corruption charges, according to news reports.

The matter was first reported by NBC News.

Two of the people, not authorized to speak on the record told The New York Times that Menendez, could still fight to serve out the rest of his term.

Menendez on Tuesday was found guilty on all 18 charges of bribery for receiving cash, gold bars, a luxury car and other items in exchange for using his political influence to aid three New Jersey businessmen. This is the second time in the past six years that Menendez has faced bribery charges, but he was acquitted last time.

Following the guilty charges, Menendez faced widespread calls to resign from more than 40 members of his own party or risked being expelled.

“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement released shortly after the verdict came down on Tuesday.

In a federal indictment that was first unsealed last September, Menendez, his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, and three New Jersey businessmen — Hana, Daibes and Jose Uribe — were allegedly part of a bribery scheme.

Menendez refused previous calls to step down when the indictment was first unsealed. After the guilty charges came down this week, Menendez told reporters that he is "deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury's decision" but said he is confident that "we will be successful upon appeal."

Before the indictment, the New Jersey Democrat served as the chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he wielded significant influence over U.S. aid to foreign governments. He temporarily stepped down from that role when the charges were unsealed.

Menendez, who was up for reelection for a fourth term, said earlier this year that he would not run in the Democratic primary due to the indictment. But last month, he officially filed to run as an independent.

Contributed: Kristie Cattafi and Katie Sobko of NorthJersey.com; and Riley Beggin of USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez weighs resignation after guilty verdict