Well, good evening, im laura coates. A week that began with Merrick Garland being accused of weaponizing the Department Of Justice against republicans ends with one of the most powerful democrats in washington, d. C. Now indicted for corruption. The chairman of the Foreign Relations committee, new jersey senator bob menendez stands accused of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. Essentially using his official position to force someone to give him something of value. Tonight, we are taking a deep dive into all of it from the investigation to the indictment and, of course, the political fallout and here are the Big Questions ive been asking all day, after seeing all the reports ive cut through all of it, here are the real questions, number one, did he do it . Right did he do it . Could a senator who left a hung jury in his last trial for conspiracy, bribery and Honest Services fraud, sound familiar, led to
Tonight, a sitting United States senator is accused of using his official position to help a foreign power in exchange for riches and rewards. And while the allegations of cash, gold bars, even the convertibles, are getting all the attention, the other end of those alleged bribes is downright chilling. The Justice Department indicting senator bob menendez and his wife among allegations he sought and received Sensitive Information about u. S. Diplomats in egypt, information that eventually made its way to people with ties to the government. In addition, prosecutors say that he gave nonpublic information about u. S. Military aid. Also accused of ghost writing a pitch to senators on behalf of a foreign government. That would ease restrictions on arms and ammunition to egypt. Those restrictions in place in part due to concerns about human rights and democracy. All of this as he is chairing the Senate Foreign relations committee, one of the most powerful positions in the entire government.