A federal judge last week acquitted Menendez on seven of the 18 counts on which he was tried.
The Justice Department has dropped charges against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N. J.), Politico reports .
This comes a week after the New Jersey Democrat and his co-defendant, Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, were each cleared by a federal judge of seven of 18 counts of corruption and bribery.
Although prosecutors two weeks ago notified that court of their intention to retry Menendez after a jury deadlocked in November, prompting a mistrial, the DOJ has now filed a court motion to drop the case.
From the very beginning, I never wavered in my innocence and my belief that justice would prevail. I am grateful that the Department of Justice has taken the time to reevaluate its case and come to the appropriate conclusion.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 31,2018
As Independent Journal Review previously reported, Menendez was accused of accepting vacations, jet tours, and more than $750,000 in campaign donations from Melgen in exchange for help with his business affairs.
“Sen. Menendez went to bat for Dr. Melgen at the highest levels of the United States government because Melgen gave Menendez access to a lifestyle that read like a travel brochure for the rich and famous,” assistant U. S. attorney Peter Koski told jurors in September.
“These two defendants corrupted one of the most powerful offices in our country. The defendants didn’t just trade money for power, they also tried to cover it up.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Melgen’s attorney, Kirk Ogrosky, called the case an “ill-fated adventure.”
“Dr. Melgen is now and has always been innocent of the charges brought in New Jersey. He did not ever give anything to his best friend of over 20 years with an expectation that he would get something in return,” Ogrosky said, CNN reports.
“We take no pleasure in seeing justice done at this stage in a case that should never have been brought. All that said, justice today is better than continuing on to inevitable acquittals on the remaining counts. We hope that this type of meritless case is never again brought by DOJ.”
Menendez’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, added, “In light of the results of a three-month trial, all the jury said and the granting of our motion for acquittal on significant counts, we are pleased and grateful that the Justice Department made the right decision to end this case.”
Menendez is running for re-election in the November midterms, seeking a third full term.
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