Staff Reports
To aid his defense against a September federal indictment that charges he accepted bribes in the form of cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and gold bars, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) is enlisting the assistance of additional legal titans. According to court documents filed with the Southern District of New York, the 69-year-old Menendez retained Robert "Gold Bars" Luskin as his pro hac vice counsel.
Bob Menendez's new 'Gold Bars' lawyer got in hot water over payment in ingots https://t.co/nnrj0ga8y4 via @nypost
— Larry 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@larryp09) November 21, 2023
Filings indicate that US District Judge Sidney Stein, who is presiding over the case, has not yet granted approval to the senator's request for Luskin to serve as counsel. Stephen Saccoccia, a precious metals dealer based in Rhode Island who was implicated in the 1980s money laundering operations of Colombian drug cartels, was convicted in 1993. In order to appeal Saccoccia's conviction, Luskin accepted over $500,000 in gold bars as bail. This unfavorable practice earned him the unfavorable moniker.
It is to the dismay of those who value honesty and integrity that Sen. Menendez is being represented by Robert "Gold Bars" Luskin, who is notorious for accepting gold bars as legal fees. Sheldon Whitehouse, then-U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, criticized Luskin for accepting misappropriated funds. In 1995, Luskin also became the first male attorney to wear an earring while arguing a case before the Supreme Court. The government continues to harbor a specter of suspicion despite the 1998 settlement in which Luskin consented to reimburse $245,000 in fees.
Recent court proceedings rejected an appeal filed by Stephen Saccoccia, the individual who was previously embroiled in the scandalous legal defense of Luskin. The court stated that Saccoccia "occupys a unique position among money launderers." Over thirty federal, state, and local politicians were implicated in the Abscam undercover operation, which Luskin oversaw while he was at the Department of Justice. This controversial incident also figures into his past.
With the knowledge of the Egyptian government's tainted past, Senator Menendez, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including acting as an emissary of the Egyptian government, has decided to extradite Luskin. Accused of bribery and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts on behalf of three affluent New Jersey businessmen, the Democratic senator and his wife, Nadine, performed a web of favors, according to the indictment. Menendez allegedly Googled "kilo of gold price" subsequent to receiving gold ingots valued at approximately $150,000 from the associates, according to prosecutors.
Sen. Menendez has been accused of malfeasance on multiple occasions prior to this one. Preceding visas for the foreign companions of a Florida ophthalmologist, he was accused in a previous case of accepting nearly $1 million in lavish vacations and private jet excursions. A cloud of suspicion continues to envelop Menendez despite the mistrial that occurred in that case. Witnessing a public figure who is embroiled in intense controversy and ethical dilemmas retain legal counsel in the face of such grave allegations is truly discouraging.
