El Salvador Bitcoin Critic Sen Menendez Indicted for Corruption

Godfrey Benjamin
September 22, 2023
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United States Sen Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey and one of the top-known critics of Bitcoin (BTC) has just been indicted by a Grand Jury on Federal bribery charges.

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The Sen Menendez Travails

Sen Menendez occupies a pivotal position within the United States Senate and is the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee where he has been found to maintain questionable relationships with businessmen from his New Jersey state. 

According to the current indictment against Sen Menendez and his wife, he maintains a “corrupt relationship” with three businessmen where he uses his office to protect them and benefit from the North African nation of Egypt.

According to mainstream media reports, the indictment noted that the bribes involved solid gold bars, cash and mortgage payments.

“Those bribes included cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job, a luxury vehicle, and other things of value,” according to the indictment issued by a grand jury in Manhattan federal court.

While Senator Menendez is tagged a repeat corrupt offender, his story becomes even more interesting when his criticism of the digital currency ecosystem is factored in place. Senator Menendez was a clear opponent of the move by the Central American nation of El Salvador to legitimize Bitcoin as a legal tender back in September 2021.

According to Sen Menendez, “Bitcoin can open the doors of corruption in El Salvador,” a statement that now largely appears to be morally backfiring on him.

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Crypto and Fraud, Not so Easy Mix

While the allegations of corruption by Sen Menendez might be too stringent to describe El Salvador’s embrace of Bitcoin, bad elements notably abound in the nascent ecosystem that might cast a bad light on the revolutionary technologies being heralded by the ecosystem.

However, proponents of the technology have often posited that fraud and crypto do not necessarily mix since all transactions carried out on the blockchain are easily traceable to identify any known culprit.

To attest to these claims, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the Department of Justice have brought on numerous enforcement actions in the past few years, underscoring the transparency that is inherent in the industry.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture. Follow him on X, Linkedin
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.