Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday to a charge alleging he conspired to act as a foreign agent of Egypt. This is the latest charge against Menendez, who is already facing bribery and extortion charges connected to his position in the U.S. Senate. Menendez, along with his wife and three other co-defendants, were indicted last month on corruption-related offenses. They are accused of accepting bribes in exchange for the senator's influence. Menendez has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

The new charge against Menendez alleges that he and his wife failed to register as agents working on behalf of Egypt and conspired to have the senator act on behalf of the country. Menendez, who was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time, stepped down from that position when he was initially charged but has refused to resign as senator.

The trial is set for May, and Menendez's lawyer has stated that they plan to vigorously fight the charges.