We got a little more clarity on Friday concerning the target of the new investigation into the serially under suspicion Bob Menendez, Save Jerseyans.
Here we go again!
According to Bob Pershing of the WSJ, “[p]rosecutors investigating Sen. Bob Menendez are examining whether his wife received gifts or services from individuals who sought favors from the New Jersey politician.”
NEWS: Prosecutors investigating Sen. Bob Menendez are examining whether his wife received gifts or services from individuals who sought favors from the New Jersey politician https://t.co/XFkY1KZHUG
— Ben Pershing (@benpershing) November 18, 2022
This isn’t the first time that Menendez has been accused of trading perks or cash for official favors.
Menendez’s 2017 bribery trial (which ended in a mistrial) involved allegations of Menendez using his office to advocate for the business and personal interests of a close ally in exchange for gifts and promises of campaign cash.
Notwithstanding his having escaped conviction, the senior senator was nevertheless formally admonished by the Senate’s ethics committee in a letter which set forth the following damning judgment:
“The Committee has found that over a six-year period you knowingly and repeatedly accepted gifts of significant value from Dr. Melgen without obtaining required Committee approval, and that you failed to publicly disclose certain gifts as required by Senate Rule and federal law. Additionally, while accepting these gifts, you used your position as a Member of the Senate to advance Dr. Melgen’s personal and business interests. The Committee has determined that this conduct violated Senate Rules, federal law, and applicable standards of conduct. 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.”
