Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will not get a Supreme Court hearing for an appeal of a motion to dismiss charges he received about $1 million in bribes during his 2012 re-election campaign.
USA Today reported Monday that the Supreme Court’s denial of Menendez’s appeal could clear the way for a trial into the allegations. Menendez is accused of receiving about $1 million in bribes in exchange for using his office to help a Florida eye specialist who is a friend of the New Jersey senator.
The case is based on Menendez’s actions around the time of the alleged bribes, which included donations to committees that worked to get Menendez re-elected, according to the report.
Menendez argued the Constitution prevented the executive and judicial branches from questioning a member of Congress’ legislative activity. The court denied that argument.
A lower court decided Menendez’s activity around the time of the bribes, including questioning Medicare officials about a regulation that affected his friend, Dr. Salomon Melgen. Melgen was in a $9 million billing dispute affected by the legislation.
According to the report, Menendez also asked Department of Homeland Security officials about U.S.-bound cargo from the Dominican Republic and Melgen owned a company with shipping interests from the Dominican.
Menedez has been indicted on charges of bribery, honest services fraud, violations of the travel act and conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty.
