Hello from CNN, I'm Anna Sturla with the five things you need to know for Friday, September 22nd. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and his wife were accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars and bribes in exchange

for the senator's influence.

Menendez faces three federal conspiracy charges.

It's the second time the Democrat has been charged with corruption-related offenses in just 10 years.

Prosecutors claim the bribes included everything from half a million dollars in straight cash

to home mortgage payments, a luxury vehicle, and a quote, low or no-show job for Menendez's wife,

Nadeen-Arslani and Menendez. The compensation also included gold, with 13 gold bars found on their property.

CNN's Karas-Ginal breaks down the allegations.

It's alleged that Menendez had used his office,

used his position as the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee

to help Egypt. That's one of the Senate Finance Committee to help Egypt.

That's one of the allegations, the other that he had then tried to influence two criminal

investigations, one involving one of the defendants and another the associate of another one of those

defendants. Menendez indicated today he would fight the charges saying in a

statement quote for years forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to

silence my voice and dig my political grave. the even as some candidates are starting to weigh their options.

Some of the party's major donors are worried about how many candidates will appear on the stage,

particularly because former President Donald Trump's lead in the polls is getting tougher and tougher

to overcome.

Their worry, while Trump could animate the GOP base,

he could also fall once again to President Joe Biden

in the general election.

...