Federal Prosecutors Investigate New Jersey Sen. Menendez

October 27, 2022 by Tom Ramstack
Federal Prosecutors Investigate New Jersey Sen. Menendez

NEW YORK — Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is under federal criminal investigation again in an apparent revival of accusations he took bribes to steer contracts to an eye doctor who donated to his campaign. 

Menendez was indicted and put on trial in 2017 but it ended in a mistrial when the jury failed to reach a verdict.

A Menendez spokesman confirmed the investigation but said he is unsure why the New Jersey Democrat is being targeted.

“Senator Menendez is aware of an investigation that was reported today,” said Michael Soliman, a Menendez political adviser. “However, he does not know the scope of the investigation.”

The investigation led by federal prosecutors was reported first on Wednesday by the digital news site Semafor.

The report quoted anonymous sources saying, “Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have contacted people connected to Menendez in recent weeks, the sources said. They have sent at least one subpoena in the case, according to a person connected to the inquiry.”

Semafor reported that “the broad outlines of the new inquiry are similar to the 2017 case.” 

Menendez holds a powerful position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Earlier this month, he recommended halting U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia after it reduced oil production in an apparent show of support for Russia in its war in Ukraine. The oil production cuts also are driving up inflation in countries that import Saudi oil.

Menendez has led efforts to confront China in its threats toward Taiwan and in trade disputes with the United States.

If the corruption accusations are found to be true, his leadership role would be in jeopardy.

They appear to date from a federal grand jury investigation of whether Menendez used his influence to help the business interests of Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, who was a friend and major donor to Menendez’s election campaigns.

The Justice Department’s charges against him included bribery, fraud and making false statements.

The indictment accused Menendez of asking State Department officials to pressure the Dominican Republic to enforce a port security contract that would benefit Melgen’s company. Melgen was promising at the time to donate $60,000 to Menendez’s campaign.

Other accusations claimed Menendez helped obtain visas for Melgen’s girlfriends in exchange for receiving perks, such as trips on Melgen’s private jet, a stay in a Paris hotel and access to a Dominican resort. Menendez did not report the fringe benefits on his Senate financial disclosure forms.

Prosecutors said $750,000 of Melgen’s campaign contributions were tied to the benefits Menendez accepted.

Although he was not convicted at trial, the Senate Select Committee on Ethics admonished Menendez in an April 2018 letter that said it found evidence of the alleged financial improprieties.

“The committee has determined that this conduct violated Senate rules, federal law, and applicable standards of conduct,” the letter said. “Accordingly, the committee issues you this Public Letter of Admonition, and also directs you to repay the fair market value of all impermissible gifts not already repaid.”

Melgen later was convicted of defrauding Medicare patients but President Donald Trump commuted his prison sentence.

Tom can be reached at [email protected] and @TomRamstack

A+
a-
  • Bob Menendez
  • investigation
  • New Jersey
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Political News

    March 28, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Elections Task Force Prosecutes 2020 ‘Vigilantes,’ Seeks More Civic Dialogue

    PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 46-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending death threats to... Read More

    PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 46-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending death threats to an Arizona election official. The sentencing of Joshua Russell, of Bucyrus, Ohio, came after he pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication.... Read More

    March 28, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Vice President Harris Rolls Out First Government-Wide Policy to Mitigate AI Risks

    WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday rolled out the Biden administration’s first government-wide policy intended to mitigate the... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday rolled out the Biden administration’s first government-wide policy intended to mitigate the risks associated with artificial intelligence while still enabling its use to advance the public interest. The new policy, which is being issued through the White House... Read More

    March 27, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    New Dem Chair Kuster Announces Retirement Following 2024 Election

    CONCORD, N.H. — Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., who, among other things, is the current chair of the New Democrat Coalition... Read More

    CONCORD, N.H. — Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., who, among other things, is the current chair of the New Democrat Coalition in the House, revealed Wednesday that she will not seek reelection to Congress this year. In a lengthy statement released by her office, Kuster gives no... Read More

    March 25, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    CPAC Releases Ranking of Most Conservative Members of Congress

    WASHINGTON — The Conservative Political Action Conference, also known as CPAC, on Monday released its annual ranking of members of... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Conservative Political Action Conference, also known as CPAC, on Monday released its annual ranking of members of the House and Senate based on their conservative bona fides or lack thereof. To produce this year’s scorecard, the CPAC foundation’s Center for Legislative Accountability analyzed... Read More

    March 22, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    After a Decade on Capitol Hill, Brad Howard Steps Out on His Own

    WASHINGTON — After a decade on Capitol Hill, most recently as chief of staff for former Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla.,... Read More

    WASHINGTON — After a decade on Capitol Hill, most recently as chief of staff for former Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and communications director of the Blue Dog Coalition, Brad Howard knew it was time for change. “It was time to move into the private sector,” he... Read More

    March 22, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Greene Files Motion to Vacate Speaker’s Chair

    WASHINGTON — For the second time in five months, a member of the Republican Conference in the House has filed... Read More

    WASHINGTON — For the second time in five months, a member of the Republican Conference in the House has filed a motion to vacate the chair of the party’s speaker. But this time, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., says the motion is intended merely as a... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top