(ProsperNews.net) – Senator Bob Menendez has found an unlikely defender in GOP colleague Tom Cotton. The Republican from Arkansas said Menendez has the right to a fair trial like any US citizen and “should be judged by jurors and New Jersey’s voters, not by Democratic politicians.” He also reiterated GOP claims that the Department of Justice cannot entirely be trusted and “has a troubling record of failure and corruption in cases against public figures, from Ted Stevens to Bob McDonnell to Donald Trump to Bob Menendez the last time around.”
Senator Menendez and his wife were indicted on federal bribery and corruption charges on September 22, with the Congressman accused of using his position to the financial benefit of New Jersey businessmen in exchange for cash and lavish gifts. He fiercely maintains his innocence. “For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave,” he said.
This is not the first time Menendez has faced corruption allegations, and in 2006, then-US Attorney Chris Christie investigated him for allegedly helping a local non-profit organization gain federal grants while paying $300,000 in rent to him. That investigation closed without charges. He is also alleged to have helped a Florida doctor in a Medicare dispute worth millions of dollars and been rewarded with vacations and the use of private jets.
On this occasion, Senator Menendez is accused of favoring the Egyptian state by aiding a halal certification business with links to Egypt’s government. He was allegedly paid with gold bars, access to a lavish apartment, and luxury cars.
Fellow Democrats, including New Jersey Governor Jim Murphy, have called on Menendez to stand down.
Senator Cotton posted his view on Twitter and was largely met with incredulity as people said the same applies to Hunter Biden and others investigated as potentially corrupt by the Republican-led weaponization committee.
Some even accused the Senator of taking a conciliatory tone because he has skeletons in his own closet.
Copyright 2023, ProsperNews.net
