New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s attorneys petitioned the Supreme Court on Tuesday to toss out a portion of his corruption case.
Menendez was indicted on federal bribery charges in April 2015 and pleaded not guilty. Menendez’s petition to the high court argues that the Constitution provides members of Congress with “absolute immunity” from challenges from the executive or judiciary branches for conduct pertaining to legislative speech or debate.
“Senator Menendez petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to address his claims of immunity under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution,” reads a statement from Menendez’s attorneys posted on the Chadbourne and Parke law firm’s website. “The petition raises an important issue that has divided the lower courts and that should be resolved by the Supreme Court in Senator Menendez’s favor.”
Prosecutors reportedly have 30 days to respond to the petition and request an extension, and the Supreme Court will then decide whether to take the case.
