New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez (D) is in hot water once again.
Two sources familiar with the probe confirmed to new media outlet Semafor that the Democrat senator is being investigated for political corruption by federal authorities in the Southern District of New Jersey.
In 2015, Sen. Menendez and Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen were indicted for an alleged arrangement under which Melgen provided flights on a private jet and lavish vacations in exchange for the Senator's help with government contracts, as well as other favors.
However, the case ended in a mistrial in 2017 after the jury failed to reach a verdict. Menendez's lawyers argued that the two men were merely good friends. That same year Melgen was convicted of medicare fraud, later receiving a pardon from former President Trump.
The sources shared that while specific details are being kept quiet the new investigation is similar in scope to the initial inquiry but with new people involved. A source noted that at least one subpoena has been issued in the case.
It's uncommon for federal prosecutors to lose at trial, so the Justice Department's decision to return to the corruption allegations against Menendez is notable.
However, while Sen. Menendez is certainly concerned by the investigation in recent years, public corruption cases have been difficult to prove because prosecutors must provide explicit evidence that gifts or donations were connected to official actions.
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If true, which I doubt, he’s just being used as a sacrificial goat.
Menendez has been a crook for most of his life.