NEW YORK, Jan 3: Federal prosecutors have expanded their case against Senator Bob Menendez, accusing him of accepting race car tickets and other gifts from Qatar as part of a years-long corruption scheme. The Gulf nation now joins Egypt as another foreign country where the New Jersey Democrat is alleged to have used his influence while in office.

The superseding indictment made public on Tuesday, extends the timeline of Menendez's bribery and extortion scheme into 2023, a year longer than initially alleged. The new indictment amends and replaces the original charges against the defendant.

Among the fresh allegations is that Menendez accepted payments from co-conspirator Fred Daibes, a New Jersey real estate developer, in exchange for using his influence to help Daibes secure millions from a Qatar-tied investment fund. Prosecutors claim Menendez took additional steps to assist Qatar.

Last year, Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez, Daibes, and two other New Jersey businessmen were indicted for their involvement in a bribery scheme. All parties have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In addition to bribery charges, Menendez is accused of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, allegedly taking steps to assist the country in exchange for a defendant obtaining a monopoly on a Halal export business. Menendez vehemently denies any wrongdoing.

Menendez's attorney, Adam Fee, stated on Tuesday that the government lacks the proof to support the allegations, branding them as "baseless assumptions and bizarre conjectures." Fee contends that Menendez consistently acted appropriately in his interactions with Qatar, Egypt, and other countries, emphasizing the senator's commitment to the best interests of the United States.

The latest indictment alleges that Menendez introduced Daibes to a member of the Qatari royal family and the principal of the Qatari Investment Company. During the Qatari investment fund's deliberations, Menendez made public statements supporting the government of Qatar.

According to prosecutors, Menendez provided Daibes with these statements so that Daibes could share them with the Qatari investor and government officials associated with the Qatari Investment Company.

The indictment details communications between Menendez and Daibes, including text messages praising the Qatari government, sharing luxury watch photographs, and discussing a Senate resolution supporting Qatar.

Prosecutors claim that Menendez continued to receive benefits from Qatar, including tickets to the 2022 Formula One Grand Prix race, even after the Qatari Investment Company officially invested tens of millions with Daibes.

Allegedly, Menendez did not disclose these gifts on his financial disclosure forms, prompting the prosecution to bring attention to the undisclosed perks.

Senator Menendez's attorney insists that these new allegations are unfounded and won't withstand scrutiny in court. The defense argues that the prosecution's narrative is an attempt to poison public perception before the trial commences. The attorney emphasizes Menendez's commitment to acting in the best interests of the United States throughout his interactions with foreign entities.