Senator Bob Menendez found guilty in bribery scheme

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has been found guilty on 16 counts tied to a scheme where he accepted bribes, including gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for helping foreign governments.

A jury convicted Menendez of all charges after more than 12 hours of deliberation over three days. The trial lasted nine weeks.

Menendez - formerly the head of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee - now faces the prospect of decades in prison.

Democratic lawmakers have called on him to step down from Congress in light of his conviction.

"Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign," said Democratic Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer in a statement.

Speaking to reporters after his conviction, Menendez maintained that he is innocent.

"I never violated my public oath," he said outside the New York City courthouse on Tuesday. "I have never been but a patriot of my country and for my country."