WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, one of the state’s most powerful politicians and a leading voice for Israel and against Iran in the U.S. Senate, was indicted Wednesday on charges that he intervened on behalf of a campaign donor in exchange for gifts and contributions. The 14-count indictment announced by the Justice Department focused on… Read the rest of this entry »
Senator Bob Menendez, left, and Congressman Frank Pallone, making like chimpmunks at the 2012 Belmar St. Patrick’s parade. Photo credit Charles Measley
The Wall Street Journal reported this afternoon that Washington, DC based federal prosecutors are expected to file criminal corruption charges against U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) as early as this week.
WSJ’s anonymous sources did not reveal the specific charges, but indicated that a legal battle over how much the Constitution shields federal legislators and their aides has come to a close. The charges, which reportedly will be filed in New Jersey’s federal courts, are believed to involve Menendez’s relationship with Florida eye-doctor, Solomon Melgen.
Earlier this month, CNN reported that outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder signed off on the Menendez prosecution. In a hastily called press conference after the CNN report broke on March 8, the senator defiantly defended the “appropriateness and lawfulness” of his conduct in office, including his dealings with Melgen.
Posted: March 22nd, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Bob Menendez | Tags: Bob Menendez, Bob Menendez scandals, Dr. Solomon Melgen, Eric Holder, Menendez scandals, Sen Bob Menendez, U.S. Justice Department | 7 Comments »
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez swiveled in his chair to chat briefly with his Senate Foreign Relations Committee chief of staff, Jodi Herman. Then he turned back to face the audience and waited to speak. Sitting before him this morning were Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Gen. Martin Dempsey,… Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON—To show that Sen. Bob Menendez’s relationship with a prominent donor crossed the line from politics into political corruption, the government faces several hurdles that could make a quick conviction difficult, experienced white-collar defense attorneys said. Menendez, D-N.J., has said repeatedly that he has done nothing wrong, and on Saturday several defenders — Republicans and Democrats… Read the rest of this entry »
Senator Bob Menendez, left, and Congressman Frank Pallone, making like chimpmunks at the 2012 Belmar St. Patrick’s parade. Photo credit Charles Measley
First of all, Senator Bob Menendez might not even be indicted. Leaks out of the Justice Department have been notoriously unreliable since Chris Christie resigned as U.S. Attorney in 2008.
If Menendez is indicted, he probably will not resign. In his press conference this evening, the Senator defiantly insisted on the “appropriateness and lawfulness” of his relationship with Dr. Salomon Melgen, the Florida ophthalmologist who is Menendez’s friend and benefactor. He declared that he is not going anywhere.
If, as CNN speculates, Menendez is charged with corruption this month, it could be Halloween before he goes to trial. Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell was indicted in January of 2014. His trial didn’t start until late July and didn’t end to early September. Unless Menendez makes a deal to avoid prosecution that includes his resignation, there is not likely to be a Special Election to fill the Senate seat until next year….2016, the year of the next presidential election.
If Chris Christie is still Governor in 2016 and Menendez’s seat becomes vacant, he will get to choose the next Senator and set the date a special election. There could be a mid-year Special Election or the Special Election could be on the same day as the presidential election. There’s no way to know now what is likely to happen.
Still, the prospect of a Senatorial vacancy stirs speculation and the phone lines among both Democrats and Republicans have been burning this afternoon since the news of the possible prosecution broke.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez’s actions on behalf of Dr. Salomon Melgen were “appropriate and lawful,” his spokeswoman said today. The spokeswoman, Tricia Enright, was responding to reports by CNN, citing people briefed on the case, that Menendez would soon be indicted on corruption charges. UPDATE: Menendez to speak about alleged corruption charges Menendez (D-N.J.)… Read the rest of this entry »
New Jersey Voters Disapprove of the State Legislature, 36-48%
By Art Gallagher, [email protected]
Governor Chris Christie at Belmar Town Hall. photo by Art Gallagher
A Quinnipiac Poll released this morning indicates that, despite the beating he has been taking in the local and national media since January, Governor Chris Christie has higher approval ratings than President Barack Obama, Senator Bob Menendez and Senator Cory Booker, among New Jersey voters.
Quinnipiac didn’t spin the poll that way in their narrative, but that is what the numbers indicate. Most of the media coverage about this poll will be negative for Christie. Too many reporters and editors read the spin and not the numbers.
There is bad news for Christie in this poll. His approval rating has dropped to 49-44% since January when it was 55-38%.
82% of Republicans and 54% of Independents approve of Christie’s job performance. Only 23% of Democrats give the Guv love.
The Governor’s bully rating is higher than ever before. Voters are now evenly split 48-48 on whether he’s a leader or a bully. In January they said he was more of a leader by 54-40 margin.
56% of voters think the Mastro Report, the internal investigation commissioned by the Governor’s Office that exonerated Christie from any involvement in the Bridgegate scandal was a “whitewash.” Voters are split 46-46 over whether the legislative investigation into Bridgegate lead by Assemblyman John Wisniewski and Senator Loretta Weinberg is a legitimate investigation or a political witch-hunt.
Voters have a net negative impression of the State Legislature that crosses all party lines. Republicans disapprove of legislature 40-45, Democrats 40-43 and Independents 33-53. The Legislature’s overall approval numbers are negative 36-48.
Posted: April 9th, 2014 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2014 U.S. Senate race, 2016 Presidential Politics, Barack Obama, Bob Menendez, Chris Christie, Cory Booker, NJ State Legislature, Quinnipiac poll | Tags: Barack Obama, Bob Menendez, Chris Christie, Cory Booker, NJ State Legislature, Quinnipiac poll | Comments Off on Quinnipiac Poll: New Jersey Voters Approve Of Christie More Than Obama, Menendez or Booker
Bob Menendez is banned from Russia (via NJ.com)
Hopefully, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez had no plans to summer in Moscow this year as he’s been banned from Russia. Menendez was one of six federal lawmakers who along with a number of advisors to President Obama, were banned from Russia in retaliation for…
Menendez Rebuts Christie Over Blame for Stalled Sandy Relief Aid (via NJSpotlight)
Who is to blame for the slow pace of New Jersey’s recovery from superstorm Sandy? Gov. Chris Christie blames federal red tape and regulations for holding up the distribution of aid money to storm victims in New Jersey. But New Jersey’s senior U.S.…
Menendez discloses another flight from donor, racks up $360k in legal bills (via NJ.com)
NEWARK — Sen. Robert Menendez accepted a third flight on the private plane of a wealthy campaign donor now under federal investigation that he did not disclose until several years later, something the senator’s office called an “oversight.” The powerful…
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