US senator Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to accepting bribes

Bob Menendez speaks during a press conference on Monday (Andres Kudacki/AP)

US senator Bob Menendez has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of accepting bribes of cash and gold bars in exchange for using his political influence to secretly advance Egyptian interests and do favours for local businessmen.

The New Jersey politician made his initial court appearance in Manhattan’s federal court on Wednesday, days after prosecutors unsealed an indictment alleging vast corruption by the Democrat, who was forced to step down as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.