They’re in a hurry to indict Menendez
Expect an indictment as early as Wednesday:
The FBI and the Justice Department have been investigating Menendez’s ties to Dr. Salomon Melgen, a close friend and financial backer of the New Jersey senator, for months. It’s not clear exactly what charges Menendez could face, although honest services fraud, receiving improper gifts, and misusing his office for personal gain are all possibilities, according to the sources. Both Menendez and Melgen have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Quite a few comments to the article suggest sarcastically that Menendez should have just used his own server and destroyed it. In this case, though, investigators probably could have followed the money trail even without emails. What’s more, since it’s Obama who has Menendez in his sights, I’m sure his creative team could dig up some charge/scandal or other no matter what the challenges.
I’ve been trying to discover whether Menendez would have to quit the Senate if he’s indicted. The gist of what I’ve found is that he can stay. My guess is that he’s highly motivated to stay. He’s gone on record as saying he’s innocent of the charges, and he seems dedicated to stopping Obama on Iran [from March 6]:
[Menendez said] that he had “always conducted [himself] appropriately and in accordance with the law. I fight for things I believe important ”¦ and for the people of our country,” he also said. “That’s who I am. I am not going anywhere.”
Perhaps Menendez will stay. But the idea of his prosecution is that it will undermine Menendez’s credibility as he attacks Obama, as well as (more importantly) serving notice to other Democrats that the administration will retaliate against any of them who choose to defy Obama on this or anything else. An indictment prior to any possible vote on sanctions is important, because Obama and Holder want to make sure that they get the message across to Democrats in Congress before any such vote occurs, and make them understand that the administration means business and that the threat is very real and will be followed through on. Understand, also, that Menendez is being indicted for activities that are pretty much standard for members of Congress, so any of them are vulnerable.
[NOTE: I’ve previously written about the Menendez case here.]
If only this Administration were as tough in its dealings with Iran… as it is with Menendez.
For that matter, if only this Administration were as kind to American legislators, and news organizations, as it is to Iranian dictators.
I could ask that this Administration show as much kindness and consideration to our allies as it does to those sworn to destroy us. But no, that’s crazy talk…
A Republican Congress Critter loses his committee seats, including chairmanships, of course. A Democrat can hold on to them. It’s a party rule, not merely an unfair one of the House or Senate. The Republicans simply have higher standards.
They really are a bunch of Chicago gangsters, aren’t they?
and Victor Davis Hanson seems to agree.
He’d have to be impeached. An indictment, or even a conviction by a court doesn’t mean anything as far as the Senate seat goes. To be removed it would take an impeachment trial and conviction in the Senate – same steps as removing the president, I believe.
The messiah is indeed well schooled in the chicago machine methods of intimidation and corruption. He is now burning down with glee all that stands in his way. We are in for a dangerous 2 years.
When the prosecutor and judge are corrupt, there is no hope of justice.
Agree with Daniel. B.O. is great at kneecapping people, when it wants to be [I refuse to call it a man. Call it a boor who walks like a man.]
Very astute assessment. It’s just amazing how the US Justice Department is reduced to 2 things: political intimidation, and flowery platitudes to imply an appearance of commitment to even-handed justice.
If you make enough things illegal, everyone is potentially a criminal.
I expect this will never go to trial. This indictment is all about intimidation. When the Iran negotiations and the sanctions are over, the indictment will be quietly dropped.
RickC:
I disagree. They’ve been investigating Menendez for two years, starting when he first became vocal in his disagreement with Obama’s foreign policy (including about Cuba). In order for the prosecution to have the required inhibitory effect on disagreement from other Democrats, they must follow through with an actual prosecution, to give the thing teeth. The case is weak, so I don’t know whether they will win, but they’ll certainly try their best, I believe.