When a Democrat is Indicted

[goldenvalley]

So US Senator Menendez of New Jersey is indicted:

Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was charged on Friday with taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, including bars of gold bullion, to wield his power abroad and at home.

The three-count federal indictment depicts a brazen plan hatched during furtive dinners, in text messages and on encrypted calls — much of it aimed at increasing U.S. assistance to Egypt and aiding businessmen in New Jersey.

Mr. Menendez’s wife, Nadine Menendez, is accused of acting as a go-between, passing messages to an American-Egyptian businessman, Wael Hana, who maintained close connections with Egyptian military and intelligence officials, the indictment said. In one text, to an Egyptian general, Mr. Hana referred to the senator, who held sway over military sales, financing and other aid, as “our man.”

I didn't know this but he was indicted in 2015 also while he was in office but a trial resulted in a hung jury and the thing was dropped. Apparently these are new charges.

My question to you is should the Democratic Party insist he resign in light of the situation with the former president (who far surpasses the Senator in the number of felonies indicted for?  My answer...yes. 

[indy]

I've been waiting for more details about this. It's much more than just Menendez taking bribes. Apparently, it enabled a pretty deep corruption beyond political favors that ruined lives through retribution. He should be asked to resign. Given his record, it's doubtful he will.

[goldenvalley]

Sept 25, 2023 14:00:04 GMT indy said:

I've been waiting for more details about this. It's much more than just Menendez taking bribes. Apparently, it enabled a pretty deep corruption beyond political favors that ruined lives through retribution. He should be asked to resign. Given his record, it's doubtful he will.

Your prediction is correct.  Here is more detail on the indictment (gift article so no paywall).

Eight months after his trial on federal corruption charges ended with a deadlocked jury, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) had an important message for Egyptian leaders: He would sign off on nearly $100 million in arms sales.

He delivered that pledge in a July 2018 text to his then-girlfriend, Nadine Arslanian. The senator asked her to notify an Egyptian American businessman and friend of hers, Wael “Will” Hana, who would later supply the couple with gold bars and other valuable items, according to a three-count federal indictment accusing Menendez of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to exert his influence for the benefit of businessmen in New Jersey and the government in Cairo.

Arslanian forwarded the text message to Hana, who sent it along to two Egyptian officials, according to the indictment. One of the foreign officials replied simply with a “thumbs up” emoji.

Gold bars seems like a stupid payment...how do you cash them in without being traced.  Perhaps the answer lies in the underbelly of corruption in the international arena.  

[andydp]

Generally, gold bars are untraceable. For that amount of money, I would have gone with bearer bonds.

[indy]

State Democratic party has asked him to resign and now a number of fellow Senators have as well.

[indy]

Over half of the Dem Senators now calling on Mendendez to resign.

[AnBr]

Gee, it looks like there might end up being more Repugs defending him than Dems.

[goldenvalley]

Sept 29, 2023 3:07:10 GMT AnBr said:

Gee, it looks like there might end up being more Repugs defending him than Dems.

How is that two tier system of justice argument landing in the context of Menendez?