(OurNationNews.com) Embattled New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez’ refusal to release his hold on his senate seat could potentially cost the Democrats a critical seat in the Senate, as the senator’s decision to run for re-election as an Independent could pull votes away from the liberals’ official candidate and possibly hand the Garden State’s senate seat to the Republicans.
Menendez, who has been the state’s representative in the U.S. senate since 2006, is under trial for allegedly receiving multiple bribes in exchange for political favors.
Prosecutors recently put their star witness Jose Uribe on the stand, with Uribe testifying that he bribed the senator and his wife (then-girlfriend) with a Mercedez Benz in order to for Menendez put pressure on the state attorney general’s office, which was then conducting two criminal investigations into two businessmen. The two, which include Egyptian-American entrepreneur Wael Hana, are on trial along with the senator.
Prosecutors also brought out Gurbir Grewal to corroborate Uribe’s statements. During the time of the alleged bribery, Grewal was the attorney general for New Jersey, and said that Menendez attempted to intervene in his office’s investigation, an act he called “pretty unprecedented”. Grewal now serves as head of the enforcement arm of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Prosecutors allege that aside from the luxury vehicle, Menendez also received $500,000 in cash, along with 13 gold bars, as bribes. Uribe’s testimony also claimed that Hana was willing to pay $250,000 to the senator in exchange for helping the former keep a meat inspection monopoly agreement Hana had with Egypt.
Uribe pleaded guilty to several charges in March, is cooperating with the prosecution as part of his plea deal.’
Menendez, along with his wife Nadine, as well as Hana and the other businessman, Fred Daibes, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Menendez is on trial along with Hana and Daibes, while his wife is being tried separately – Mrs. Menendez’s trial was postponed as she undergoes breast cancer treatments.
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