September 28, 2016 | No Comments
A federal judge in New Jersey has set a tentative Sept. 2017 date for the bribery and corruption trial of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, more than two-and-a-half years after he was charged, according to a new court order.
Menendez was indicted in April 2015 for allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in improper gifts and campaign contributions as bribes in exchange for using his office to help Dr. Salomon Melgen, a longtime friend and major campaign contributor.
Menendez has argued that under the Speech or Debate clause — a constitutional privilege that shields lawmakers and staff from legal action over legitimate legislative activities — he cannot be charged with improperly aiding Melgen.
Menendez has unsuccessfully sought to have the charges thrown out, and he is currently planning an appeal to the Supreme Court. That request may not even be filed until the end of the year.
Melgen, who has also been charged in the case, is scheduled to go on trial in Florida in March 2017.
The Justice Deptartment alleges Menendez received nearly $1 million worth of gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen. In turn, Menendez allegedly intervened on Melgen’s behalf in a multimillion-dollar billing dispute with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and attempted to enforce a $500 million port security contract with the Dominican Republic, as well as obtaining visa applications for several of Melgen’s girlfriends.
Menendez and Melgen have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Menendez has set up a legal defense fund and raised millions of dollars to underwrite his legal bills. Menendez has suggested he is being targeted by DOJ because of his opposition to President Barack Obama’s stance on Iran and Cuba.