NJ Halal Exporter Hana Pleads Not Guilty in Robert Menendez Bribe Case
- Hana was arrested after voluntarily returning from Egypt
- Hana was one of three businessmen charged in bribery scandal
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A New Jersey businessman pleaded not guilty to charges that he bribed US Senator Robert Menendez in exchange for pressuring federal agriculture officials to support a monopoly he had on halal meat exports to Egypt.
Wael Hana, who was arrested Tuesday at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after voluntarily returning to the US from his home in Egypt to face the charges, later entered the plea in federal court in Manhattan. He is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. The US and the defense agreed to a bail package under which Hana would be released on a $5 million personal recognizance bond.