First on CNN: Feds prepare criminal corruption charges against Senator Bob Menendez

[Comrade Grumpy]

Source: CNN

Mods: This is breaking on CNN right now. No link yet.

Okay, now we have a link and a story:

Washington (CNN)The Justice Department is preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, alleging he used his Senate office to push the business interests of a Democratic donor and friend in exchange for gifts.

People briefed on the case say Attorney General Eric Holder has signed off on prosecutors' request to proceed with charges, CNN has learned exclusively. An announcement could come within weeks. Prosecutors are under pressure in part because of the statute of limitation on some of the allegations.

The case could pose a high-profile test of the Justice Department's ability to prosecute sitting lawmakers, having already spawned a legal battle over whether key evidence the government has gathered is protected by the Constitution's Speech and Debate clause.

The FBI and prosecutors from the Justice Department's public integrity section, have pursued a variety of allegations against Menendez, who has called the probe part of "smear campaign" against him.

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell arrives at his corruption trial in Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday, September 4. A jury convicted McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, on charges related to influence peddling, concluding a sometimes dramatic trial and derailing the political ambitions of the one-time rising star in the Republican Party.

The government's case centers on Menendez's relationship with Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist who the senator has called a friend and political supporter. Melgen and his family have been generous donors to the senator and various committees the senator is associated with.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/06/politics/robert-menendez-criminal-corruption-charges-planned/

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Something about a quid pro quo relationship with a Florida opthamologist.

If there's any Senate Dem I'd like to see go down in flames, it's this guy.

[hrmjustin]

1. Innocent until proven guilty but I can't stand him.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Well...bye....

[groundloop]

3. If Menendez is forced out won't Christie name a replacement?

[Dawson Leery]

5. Yes and an election will occur in the fall of 2016 to complete the term.

[karynnj]

7. Unfortunately, yes

The appointee would then have to run in 2016. That should favor a Democrat as it is a Presidential year. However, if Christie were to nominate a moderate Republican, who the Republicans with their majority give plenty of room to vote with the Democrats - think Scott Brown when representing MA, this could be a longer term loss.

One possibility is Kean jr - sone of former governor Kean, who ran a weak campaign against Menendez in 2006 - mostly accusing him of fraud that was never proven. It was federal prosecutor Chris Christie who was "investigating it" http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/nyregion/08truth.html His father is well liked - the local Morris County paper actually endorsed him because he might end up being like his dad!. Assuming Kean would not call his opponent a fake Indian and show himself as mean spirited, he might win as an incumbent. looking at the wiki bio, Christie tried to remove him as minority leader. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kean,_Jr.)

Another mess that NJ has Corzine to thank for. Menendez was appointed by Corzine when Corzine moved from the Senate to the Governorship in 2005. In both 2006 and 2012, he was not all that popular in NJ.

Obviously this is putting the cart before the horse. It will be ironic if there is really a quid por quo here - because this accusation was made in 2012 as the election was on going, but the Republicans went with more sensational - completely discredited - accusations of prostitutes in the Dominican Republic. I wish I could say that I am as convinced that this will fall apart as well.

[starroute]

8. It looks like there would have to be a special election

And that Christie could appoint an interim replacement until then.

But it also seems that for the special election to be called for this November, the vacancy would have to occur more than 30 days before this June's primary. If it doesn't, the interim appointment would last until November 2016.

At least, that's how I read it.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vacancies-in-the-united-states-senate.aspx

[StevieM]

13. But can't Menendez simply announce his retirement and continue to serve until the election is held?

That's what happened in Oklahoma back in 1994 when Dave Boren announced his early retirement and there was a special election between James Inhofe and Dave McCurdy.

[FBaggins]

23. No... because the special election won't be until Nov 2016

That's what happened in Oklahoma back in 1994 when Dave Boren announced his early retirement

Boren wasn't facing a possible prosecution and Senate investigation. I doubt that Senate Republicans will hold off on hearings for long if a prosecution becomes likely.

[George II]

14. An ironic twist of fate - Menendez could be forced out for doing exactly...

...what Christie has been doing with Jerry Jones of the Cowboys. And Christie would appoint his replacement?

[GuntherGebelWilliams]

4. So the pig Wilson gets a pass from the DOJ

But Holder goes after a Democratic Senator?

Is it any wonder why the rethugs are in no hurry to confirm his replacement?

[Comrade Grumpy]

6. Yeah. Because Holder loves racist cops and hates Democratic senators.

Good lord. Give it a rest.

[babylonsister]

19. Thank you. nt

[George II]

15. Two totally unrelated cases/situations, but....

...if the facts of the two cases are as presented, as repulsive as what Wilson did, he did not violate the letter of any Federal law, but Menendez may have.

[Cha]

29. The Feds weren't able to charge Wilson bc SCOTUS gutted civil rights law..

from the link..

"Brown had the right to “life itself,” too. Wilson took it away—and there’s almost nothing the federal government can do about it. The KKK began its reign of terror in 1865. The brutal Selma assault on civil rights protesters occurred in 1965. And in 2014, we still don’t have a federal law to protect unarmed black boys from getting gunned down by cops in the street."

Pretty Foot @PrettyFootWoman
Follow
Feds can’t charge Darren Wilson because the Supreme Court gutted civil rights law. By @mjs_DC http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2014/11/will_justice_department_charge_darren_wilson_supreme_court_gutted_civil.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_bot … via @slate

3:54 PM - 24 Feb 2015 Slate @Slate 18Retweets 3 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/02/25/a-tweet-or-two-248/

I'm posting this around a few times for those who make comments like this about AG Holder..

[edhopper]

9. And after

the GW Bridge and Sandy money and the pension scandal and the Exxon settlement, Christie is untouched.
WTF?

[jeff47]

10. One does not have to be stupid in order to be corrupt. (nt)

[laserhaas]

12. HEY - Christie IS protected. As NJ US Att. he Bribed former USAG Ashcroft

Christie-gate(S) are many..

M A N Y!

-------------------

I've been on this tool arse since 2007, where he used a fraudster funded with $50,000 per month (during the firing of 8 U.S. Attorneys who refused to do Karl Rove's bidding of prosecuting Democrats/rig elections) - as the fraud guy went around giving money to people running for elections.

All the prosecutions (except 1) failed - but the rig of elections - WORKED!

------------------

Then U.S. Attorney Chris Christie gave his former boss (U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft) and another USA (Debra Yang) a $50 Million - NO BID contract - labeled as a Deferred Prosecution Agreement.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/washington/10justice.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0


Prior to the GWB era - you knew a more proper vernacular for payment of millions, to a federal prosecutor party - to DEFER a prosecution...

It's called - BRIBERY

[George II]

16. Those investigations are not over (not familiar with the Exxon settlement), I'm sure there will be..

...charges for the first three.

[edhopper]

17. That is a story that just came out this week

Google it, a big NY Time article.

[laserhaas]

11. We've been working to get this tool - for YEARS.. Thanks for this update

Just spent hours a day ago, talking about this and others.

NO Democrat/Progressive is a pedophile. This was a wolf in sheep clothing - Pure and Simple!

[red dog 1]

18. K&R...Thanks for posting, Comrade Grumpy

Menendez is a Dino.

[DeSwiss]

20. The Stink seems strong in this one.....

- May KARMA grant you what you so richly deserve.

K&R

[laserhaas]

26. HA Ha.... can I use this pic...Like on the tool down south who voted for XL and against ACA

What a wonderful/ apropos - pic

[BlueStater]

21. What a jerkoff.

Thanks for the negative press for the Democratic party AND for throwing your senate seat away to yet another Republican, you asshole.

[Judi Lynn]

22. It's a shame he's still here. Hope it works, this time. Thank you, Comrade Grumpy. n/t

[Jefferson23]

24. So long. n/t

[laserhaas]

25. Hey...may I suggest you shorten your title for Twitter

Take out first on CNN and shorten Senator to Sen.

so it fits....

[Cooley Hurd]

27. Recommending for Transparency...

I really don't want any crooks on the Hill, even if they're on our side.

I hope justice, whichever way it goes, is served.

[Judi Lynn]

28. Sen. Robert Menendez to address expected federal corruption charges tonight

Sen. Robert Menendez to address expected federal corruption charges tonight

March 6, 2015, 2:21 PM Last updated: Friday, March 6, 2015, 5:35 PM
By HERB JACKSON
Washington Correspondent | The Record

Sen. Bob Menendez has called a news conference for this evening to answer reports the Justice Department is preparing criminal corruption charges against him over official actions he took related to the business interests of a friend and major campaign contributor, Salomon Melgen.

Attorney General Eric Holder signed off on charging Menendez, according to people briefed on the case, CNN and several other news outlets confirmed.

A spokesman for the Justice Department would not confirm or deny the report when contacted by The Record. Holder, who was traveling with President Obama in South Caroline, also declined to comment when approached by a reporter in the White House press pool.

Menendez will talk to the press at 7 p.m. His spokeswoman, Tricia Enright, said that all of the senator’s actions "have been appropriate and lawful and the facts will ultimately confirm that."

More:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/sen-robert-menendez-to-address-expected-federal-corruption-charges-tonight-1.1284145

[NaturalHigh]

30. I haven't kept up with the Menendez story...

but if he's corrupt I want him out. As taxpayers we have the right to demand integrity from anyone whose salary we pay.

It's just sadly ironic that if he gets the boot that asshat Christie will name his replacement.