Bob Menendez facing new allegations of bribery by Qatari officials

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is facing new claims that he took bribes from Qatari royal family members in exchange for legislative favors.

“The new allegations accuse Menendez, who has pleaded not guilty to all prior counts, of making positive comments about Qatar in exchange for items of value, including luxury wristwatches,” ABC 7 in New York reported.

The watches were worth between $10,000 and $24,000 each, according to Breitbart.

Co-defendant Fred Daibes reportedly sent Menendez messages about the watches, then sent him information about a Senate resolution supportive of Qatar at the same time the Qatari Investment Company contemplated an investment deal with Daibes -- a deal which was later completed to the tune of millions of dollars.

Meanwhile, the senator's wife, Nadine Menendez, received tickets to the Formula One Grand Prix in Florida from the Qataris. She has also been indicted in the scheme.

Menendez has refused to step down from the Senate despite calls from many Democrats, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, to do so.