WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday called on Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign, minutes after his longtime Democratic colleague was found guilty on federal corruption charges.

In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign, Schumer said in a statement.

Menendez, who previously served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was found guilty of accepting bribes of gold and cash from New Jersey businessmen and acting at the behest of the Egyptian government. The jury found him guilty on all 16 felony counts, including extortion and acting as a foreign agent.

Emerging from the courthouse shortly after the verdict, Menendez appeared defiant and vowed to appeal the verdict.

Obviously, Im deeply, deeply disappointed by the jurys decision, the three-term senator said in brief remarks to the press. I have every faith that the law and facts were not sustained in that decision, and that we will be successful upon appeal.

I have never violated my public oath. I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country, he said. I have never, ever been a foreign agent.