Egyptian American businessman Wael Hana, who prosecutors claim played a pivotal role in a corrupt scheme to bribe Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, was arrested at JFK Airport on Tuesday. Hana, 40, voluntarily flew from Egypt to the United States to face federal charges in Manhattan. His attorney, Lawrence Lustberg, stated that Hana returned to prove his innocence, which he believes will be established during a fair trial. The businessman, originally from Egypt but now residing in New Jersey, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

According to the indictment released on Friday, Hana facilitated secret meetings and dinners between Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez, and Egyptian military and intelligence officials. The goal of these meetings was to leverage the senator's power to increase aid to Egypt. Menendez, who was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee until he stepped down after his indictment, held influence over military sales, financing, and other forms of aid. In one text message to an Egyptian general, Hana referred to the senator as "our man."

Hana, along with two other businessmen, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Menendez and his wife were also charged with conspiracy to commit extortion under the color of official right, suggesting that they used the senator's position to coerce individuals into providing them with valuable assets. Menendez has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming that the charges were manipulated by prosecutors and that the presented facts do not accurately represent the truth.

During his arraignment, Hana pleaded not guilty and was released on a $5 million personal recognizance bond. The conditions of his release include surrendering his passport and wearing a GPS monitoring device. Hana, a close friend of Nadine Menendez, created IS EG Halal, a company that became the exclusive certifier of halal meat imported to Egypt. Prosecutors contend that this business served as a conduit for the flow of money to the senator.

Hana, dressed in a light blue button-down shirt and navy blue slacks, sat silently in court as the charges were read to him. His lawyer asserted his client's innocence and expressed confidence in his acquittal following a fair trial. After the hearing, Hana left the courthouse without making any comments. The arraignments for Menendez, his wife, Daibes, and Uribe are scheduled to take place on Wednesday morning.