BREAKING: Sen. Robert Menendez Convicted on Corruption Charges

Guilty on All 16 Counts, Including Bribery

Political Storm Brewing in New Jersey

In a major political development, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has been convicted on all 16 criminal counts he faced, including bribery, at his federal corruption trial in Newark. The jury's verdict comes after three weeks of deliberation and marks a stunning turn of events for the veteran Democrat who has served in the Senate for over two decades.

According to the prosecution, Menendez accepted bribes from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for using his political influence to advance Melgen's business interests. The jury found Menendez guilty of eight counts of bribery, seven counts of honest services fraud, and one count of conspiracy. The charges stem from a federal investigation that began in 2013.

Menendez, who steadfastly denied the charges, faces the possibility of decades behind bars. His conviction has sent shockwaves throughout New Jersey's political establishment and could have far-reaching consequences for the state's Democratic Party.

In a statement released after the verdict, Menendez vowed to appeal the decision. He reiterated his innocence and accused the prosecution of "cherry-picking" evidence to target him politically.

The conviction of a sitting U.S. senator is a rare occurrence and is likely to fuel calls for Menendez's resignation. However, he has indicated that he will not step down, setting up a potential battle between him and the Democratic leadership.

As the dust settles from this major development, the full impact of Menendez's conviction on New Jersey politics and the national political landscape remains to be seen.