Staff Reports
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is once again facing legal troubles as federal prosecutors investigate his potentially illegal campaign activities. The embattled Democrat, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, has set up a legal defense fund to raise unlimited sums of money to pay for his litigation expenses. Recent campaign finance disclosures show that the senator has paid $200,000 for legal services in 2023 alone.
Sources claim that the investigation relates to a government contract secured by a New Jersey-based meat processor with the nation of Egypt. As chair of Foreign Relations, Senator Menendez could have a conflict of interest by being involved with any dealings between another foreign nation and a home-state business soliciting overseas contracts. Investigators are working to determine whether Menendez directed any of the United States’ $2 billion in Egyptian foreign aid to the New Jersey company, according to sources.
The CEO and general counsel of the New Jersey company, EG Halal, have donated modest amounts to the senator over the years. Aslanian Jr., the attorney, was subpoenaed last year in connection with the investigation, further fueling speculation regarding Menendez’s involvement in the contract.
It’s not the first time that Senator Menendez has faced legal trouble; he previously faced accusations of sleeping with underage prostitutes during a trip to the Dominican Republic. More recently, a corruption case charging the senator with accepting bribes ended in a mistrial in 2017, leaving many questioning the senator’s ethics.
JUST IN: Embattled Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is raising money to stave off legal bills he expects to continue accumulating as federal prosecutors probe his campaign for potentially illegal activity.
Rules for thee, but for me. https://t.co/DPkvDvWVRD
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) April 18, 2023
Senator Menendez’s office has denied the accusations of illegal campaign activity but has set up a separate legal defense fund to avoid draining any further campaign funds. However, given the senator’s checkered history and the mounting evidence against him, it remains to be seen how much longer he can continue to hold onto his powerful position in the Senate.
Source: Trending Politics
