Exclusive: Federal Probe into New Jersey Sen. Menendez Is Widening

[alp227]

Source: NBC New York (WNBC)

The federal criminal investigation into New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez is broader than previously known, NBC 4 New York has learned.

The Department of Justice is investigating Menendez's efforts on behalf of two fugitive bankers from Ecuador, multiple current and former U.S, officials tell NBC 4 New York. The probe into Menendez’s dealing with the bankers comes as federal authorities are also investigating his relationship to a big campaign donor from Florida.

The criminal investigation is focusing in part on the senator’s ties to William and Roberto Isaias and whether the senator crossed a line in trying to help the two brothers stay in the United States.

The Isaias brothers have been fugitives from their native Ecuador for more than a decade -- sentenced in absentia for embezzling millions as the bank they ran there was collapsing.

Read more: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/bob-menendez-federal-probe-nj-senator-i-team-241721381.html

---

New Jersey = the Chicago of the Northeast. Jim McGreevey, Jon Corzine, Chris Christie...now Menendez is real trouble after the fake story about the prostitutes last year. Article includes 7 minute video.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Walk with pride, NJ

[DonViejo]

2. Ooops. There goes Drudge's latest

conspiracy theory

Drudge: DOJ 'Unleashing The Dogs' With Indictments Against Obama Critics

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251350072

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. I know ...

Poor Menedez ... caught up in the fair and balanced prosecution called justice.

[Cha]

8. Not too happy with Menedez now.. trying to

push those sanctions on Iran in the middle of peace negotiations.

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. I can see/hear it now ...

"Is there a connection?"

"Yes ... another example of PBO running rough shod over his detractors!"

(When Left meets right.)

[mucifer]

3. This time a dem.

Does sound a lot like here in Illinois where it is both parties.

[hedda_foil]

10. Equal opportunity corruption.

In Illinois and Jersey, it's a way of life.

HeddaFoil ... another usedta be proud Illini.

[Dawson Leery]

5. As with last years allegations (nothing happned), Menendez is denying these.

Last edited Thu Jan 23, 2014, 10:44 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/23/sen-menendez-denies-allegations-in-new-reported-fbi-probe.html

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/196305-menendez-challenges-fbi-probe-report



http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-seeks-source-of-prostitution-corruption-allegations-against-sen-robert-menendez/2013/05/16/72ad79a0-bbda-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html

[karynnj]

6. I am incredibly happy to be a resident of a good government state - VERMONT

Last edited Fri Jan 24, 2014, 11:33 AM - Edit history (1)

I hope that the charges against Menendez fail to rise to the level of an indictment. Unless Christie and the LT Governor are removed first, they will appoint the replacement. (If it is to happen, I hope it is soon - so the replacement will have to run in November and we could then regain the seat. If it is too late for him/her to run in 2014, then he/she is there until 2016 - making it harder to hold the Senate in 2015-2016.

PS He is another "gift" from Corzine who nominated him - and he has always been UNDERWHELMING.

Edited to add that the Rachel Maddow show's explanations of the charges and his defense might actually be true. (Only quibble with her excellent guest's explanation is that he said that it was worrisome that the Menendez, who as chair of the SFRC, is in a powerful position accepted money from relatives of the Ecuadorans. In fact, in 2012, John Kerry was still chair and though he was a likely choice to replace Hillary, that was certainly not a guarantee - and Boxer was next in line and could have taken the position. )

[chuckstevens]

7. WOW!

Illinois is starting to look like an honest state by comparison!

[ReRe]

9. Yesssssssss!

He's the one that heads up the committee that's cooking up sanctions against Iran, while the State Dept is trying to work with Iran on doing AWAY with some sanctions in exchange with Iran gearing down on their nuclear programs. Rachel's reporting on it as I type...

[hrmjustin]

12. Never cared much for him but I doubt he will be charged.

[Major Nikon]

13. Poppa Bush never so much as got investigated for freeing a known terrorist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Bosch

[hrmjustin]

14. Never heard of this person but I am not surprised Bush gave him safe haven if he was CIA.

[Major Nikon]

15. Among other things he bombed Cubana Flight 455 out of the sky

It happened when Bush was head of the CIA and documents prove the CIA knew about it and Bosch's involvement before it happened. The flight was full of civilians. While president, Poppa Bush used his ambassador in Venezuela to get Bosch out of prison and after he was arrested and facing deportation in the US, Bush intervened again and set him free in Miami where he lived out the rest of his days a free man(which coincidentally helped his son Jeb's political ambitions in Florida where Bosch is a hero in certain Cuban circles). Bush's own Atty Gen called Bosch an "unrepentant terrorist".

[hrmjustin]

16. Typical of Bush Sr.

[flamingdem]

17. Menendez helping probably right leaning Ecuadorans

He's right when it comes to Latin America, and a Cuba-phobe big time.

[hrmjustin]

18. what is his view on cuba?

[flamingdem]

19. He's against any changes and is a thorn in the side

of any attempts to lessen travel restrictions or modify the embargo.

He's terrible, it's a drag he took over Kerry's role in the Senate Foreign Relations committee because after that forget about any opening to Cuba, at least through that channel.

Think he was born in Cuba or his parents were.

[hrmjustin]

20. That is terrible!

Thanks for the info.