NJ Sen. Menendez Officially Indicted on Corruption Charges

After weeks of reports and hints, a federal grand jury in Newark, NJ has officially charged Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) with 14 counts of corruption.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Department of Justice indicted Menendez on charges, “including conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services fraud,” after a two-year investigation into his relationship with Salomon Melgen, a Florida doctor who the DOJ says paid Menendez many thousands of dollars, as well as free trips and excessive gifts, in exchange for influence.

The consequences of this indictment, already under scrutiny given that the reports of potential charges surfaced after Menendez publicly declaring himself pro-Israel during the hubbub around Benjamin Netanyahu‘s speech before Congress, could put the Senate Democrats in a bit of a bind:

Charges against Mr. Menendez would also put Senate Democrats and the White House in an awkward position on the nomination of Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch to succeed Attorney General Eric Holder. Ms. Lynch is facing a tight vote to win confirmation and, should Mr. Menendez choose not to vote to confirm the woman who could oversee his prosecution, the White House would have to find another Republican to back Ms. Lynch or she risks being denied confirmation.

Menendez has vowed to fight any charges filed against him, defending his friendship with Melgen, and plans to hold a press conference this evening to address the charges.

[h/t AP]
[Image via screenshot/CSPAN]

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