A federal judge has rejected a request from Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., to move his corruption trial from New Jersey to Washington, a request Menendez made to ensure his work as a senator would not be interrupted.
The Democratic senator’s attorneys wanted the case to move to the nation’s capital because the vast majority of his alleged illegal activities occurred there. His team also argued a trial in New Jersey would interrupt his Senate duties, as well as cause an inconvenience for most witnesses.
But U.S. District Court Judge William Walls rejected Menendez’s request.
According to arguments from the Justice Department, Menendez accepted things of value from Dr. Salomon Melgen in New Jersey that led to the alleged illegal acts. Furthermore, the inconvenience to Menendez and any witnesses in the case will be negligible if the case is held in New Jersey.
Menendez, a congressman for more than 20 years, was indicted in April in a 22-count indictment charging he accepted gifts and donations from Melgen, a longtime friend, in exchange for political favors.
Melgen has also been charged in that indictment, and a separate indictment in Florida accusing him of multiple counts of Medicare fraud.
The trial is set for October 13.
