While details of the latest probe are scarce, the Semafor study said “the wide outlines of the caller enquiry are akin to the 2017 case,” but that it does not impact Menendez’s erstwhile co-defendant and friend, Florida oculus doc Salomon Melgen.
In the earlier case, prosecutors accused Menendez of doing governmental favors for Melgen — specified arsenic interceding connected his behalf erstwhile helium was being investigated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and discouraging donating larboard information screening instrumentality to the Dominican Republic for the payment of a institution successful which Melgen had a involvement — successful speech for governmental donations, backstage pitchy flights and lavish vacations successful Melgen’s Dominican villa.
Menendez, New Jersey’s elder senator, argued that everything helium did for Melgen was borne retired of relationship and that determination was nary quid pro quo.
After a lengthy proceedings successful 2017, a assemblage deadlocked, with astir members wanting to acquit Menendez. Prosecutors astatine archetypal announced plans to effort Menendez again, but rapidly backed off.
The caller probe threatens to unreality Menendez’s expected reelection run successful 2024.
But Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is an highly influential fig successful the New Jersey Democratic Party, truthful it’s improbable many, if any, enactment officials volition publically region themselves from him immoderate clip soon. When Menendez was indicted successful 2015, Democrats — including Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) — publically stood with him, with immoderate adjacent showing up to ticker portion of his trial.
Democrats had crushed to fearfulness Menendez leaving bureau past time. Republican Chris Christie was politician and would person appointed an interim replacement. Current Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s word doesn’t extremity until January 2026.
The quality besides comes arsenic Menendez’s son, Robert J. Menendez, is moving for the House spot Menendez occupied earlier being elevated to the Senate successful 2006. The younger Menendez, a Democrat with small governmental experience, is moving successful 1 of New Jersey’s astir heavy Democratic districts and is not facing a superior challenge.
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