The Department of Justice Wednesday said it no longer intends to retry Bob Menendez on corruption charges following the New Jersey senator’s deadlocked-jury mistrial last fall.
The motion to toss the case comes a week after a 🧔federal judge tossed out seven of the 18 counts that the Democrat and his co-defendant, Dr. Salomon Melgen, had faced during last year’s trial.
“Given the impact of the Court’s Jan. 2♒4 Order on the charges and the evidence admissible in a retrial, the United States has determined that it will not retry the defendants on the remaining charges,” Justice Department spokeswoman Nicole Navas announced in a statement.
The filing comes as Menendez gears up for re-elec🤡tion later this year.
“From the very beginning, I never wavered in my innocence and my belief that justice would prevail,” Menendez said in a statement released shortly after the DOJ announced its decision. “I am grateful that the Department of Justice has taken the time to reevaluate its case and come to the appropriate conclusion. I thank God for hearing my prayers and for giving me strength during this difficult time.”
“I have devoted my life to serving the people of New Jersey, and am forever thankful for all who have stood by me,” his statement continued. “No matter the challenges ahead, I will never stop fighting for New Jersey and the values we share.”
The feds’ decision not to proceed with the case also applies to Melgen, a Florida opthalmologist. The 64-year-old pol was accused of taking gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for political favors.
Last week, the judge tossed the bribery counts related to Melgen’s campaign donations, though 11 charges remained prior to Wednesday’s announcement, such as bribery, fraud and conspiracy.
Defense lawyers had argued during trial that Melgen’s donations had to be tied to specific acts by Menendez to be considered bribes.
Following deadlock, multiple jurors said that as many as 10 of the 12 person pane꧋l had been in favor of acqu𓆏itting the pol.
With Post Wires