The Supreme Court’s overturning of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s corruption conviction could play a key role in helping a jury decide the fate of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., in his corruption trial.
The high court in 2016 narrowed the definition of what constitutes an act of corruption when it overturned the former Republican governor’s bribery conviction.
Chief Justice John Roberts said at the time McDonnell’s actions were “tawdry” but that the definition of acts of corruption provided by the government were entirely too broad that it could cover nearly any action a public official takes.
The court’s decision was unanimous and Roberts warned against the government’s “boundless interpretation of the federal bribery statute.”
Using the Supreme Court’s ruling, former New York Republican state Senate leader Dean Skelos saw his conviction overturned Tuesday. The same court also overturned former Democratic New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s corruption conviction two months earlier.
Defense attornies in the Menendez case have also cited the McDonnell ruling in arguing his bribery and fraud indictment be dismissed.
Menendez is facing federal bribery and conspiracy charges, and is also accused of making false statements. Prosecutors say he intervened on behalf of a major donor, Salomon Melgen, who is involved in multimillion dollar Medicare billing dispute.
He is also accused of helping Melgen secure visas for several of his girlfriends from foreign countries in an apparent quid pro quo for campaign donations and lavish trips to his exclusive Dominican Republic resort, which is often frequented by celebrities like Beyonce and Jay Z.
The trial has entered its fourth week and the judge has said he will withhold making a ruling until the prosecution rests its case.
