Menendez Still Under Investigation?
It would seem the the US attorney in New Jersey is still very much interested in looking into Robert Menendez's real estate dealing. New subpoenas have been issued in the case.
Federal investigators have resumed their inquiry into a rental deal between U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and a nonprofit agency, issuing new subpoenas in the days after he was elected to a full six-year term, according to a government source.
The subpoenas sought documents related to the more than $300,000 in rent Menendez collected from the North Hudson Community Action Corp. between 1994 and 2003, the source said. It was unclear what records were sought or who was subpoenaed.
"More are coming," said the source, who declined to be named because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.
Matt Miller, a spokesman for Menendez, said neither the senator nor his campaign or congressional office has been contacted by federal authorities. He said Menendez is unaware of any new subpoenas and maintains he did nothing wrong.
"We're confident that when the U.S. Attorney's Office completes its review it will come to the same conclusion as the House Ethics Committee, that the transaction was completely appropriate," Miller said.
The latest development cuts short Menendez's political honeymoon as he prepares to head back to Washington next week as part of a new Democratic majority in Congress. Menendez's victory Tuesday was critical to Democrats taking control of the U.S. Senate by 51 to 49.
I think the US Attorney had no choice but to ease off the investigation through the election to avoid charges of political motivations for the inquiries. I rather suspect this will get a lot more attention in coming weeks and months.
By Arlo, Sunday, 12 November , 2006 @ 12:40 pm
I live in New Jersey; we’re sophisticated about prosecutors abusing their power. The last Clinton prosecutor, Robert Ray who took over from Starr, tried to use that to run for public office. The current US attorney is a Bush pioneer. Republicans are looking for something, anything. Kean Sr. diminished himself during the campaign in an effort to help his son and Bush. Its pathetic. It’ll be a test of Corzine and the Democrats’ toughness if they come in in January and redistrict to take out 2 Republican House seats (Ferguson and Garrett). Lets give them each a nice chunk of Newark.
By mokus, Sunday, 12 November , 2006 @ 3:40 pm
Maybe not everyone in New Jersey is as sophisticated as you would have us think. For instance, if anyone believes Tom Kean or his daddy were out to help GWB during the campaign, well perhaps they should take another look at the evidence and try again.
Don’t think anyone has forgotten the Dems and their accusations of a GOP Culture of Corruption. If Dems obstruct the investigation of Menendez and look the other way at Harry Reid’s real estate shenanigans, the charge of blatant hypocrisy will ring out loud and clear across the fruited plain. And, it will ring true.
By Arlo, Sunday, 12 November , 2006 @ 5:28 pm
My congressman is a Republican, Ferguson, and he paid the largest fine ever levied on a sitting Congressman, $210,000. The total amount of rent Menendez has gotten over 10 years is $300,000. Why didn’t Congress investigate and censure Ferguson? Because he was protected by Tom DeLay, disgraced former majority leader, who resigned over the Jack Abramoff influence peddling and money laundering scandals.
Kean Sr. diminished himself both with his son’s campaign and his role with “Path to 9/11,” for which he won’t disclose the fee he got.
By Enlighten-New Jersey, Sunday, 12 November , 2006 @ 8:36 pm
Here’s just one contradictory story Bob Menendez has told concerning his rental deal with a federally funded non-profit agency.
1996 Excuse:
“Menendez said he had no hand in arranging the lease, which was handled by a real estate agent and lawyers for the North Hudson Community Action Corp., and did not realize his building would be housing a federally funded agency until after the deal was done.†— Jersey Journal - 1996
2006 Excuse:
“Menendez said he didn’t see any conflict of interest in the rental arrangement because the House ethics committee gave him a verbal green light before the lease agreement was finalized. He also argued that he rented the property at below-market rates.†— Philadelphia Inquirer - 2006