Menendez co-defendant Wael Hana pleads not guilty in alleged bribery scheme

Wael Hana, an alleged co-conspirator indicted in a bribery scheme with New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, pleaded not guilty and was released on bail in federal court Tuesday.

Hana was arrested Tuesday morning at John F. Kennedy International Airport upon his return from Egypt, his attorney Larry Lustberg told reporters after the hearing. His wife and children remain in Egypt where they all live much of the year. Hana returned to the US to face the charges, Lustberg said.

Hana was charged in an indictment last week with Menendez and others and faces one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carry maximum prison sentences of five and 20 years respectively.

Prosecutors allege that he facilitated an agreement to provide bribes to the senator and his now-wife in exchange for the senator's influence in matters benefiting himself, the Egyptian government and others. The couple has denied wrongdoing.

Hana is being released on a $5 million personal recognizance bond and surrendered his travel documents. He's also subject to GPS location monitoring and a curfew requiring him to be at his New Jersey home from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

All of his shares in his company Capital Management EG will also be held as collateral for his release. Lustberg said Hana will try to run his halal business but whether the business will survive remains to be seen.

Hana is also banned from contact with co-defendants and case witnesses without attorneys present.