Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) at a Senate Banking Committee hearing addressing the scandal relating to Wells Fargo’s opening of fake bank accounts without customer knowledge, on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM
After working while under a criminal indictment for 28 months, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez is about to get a chance to prove his innocence. The 63-year-old senator’s career and future are on the line when he and Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen go on trial Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Newark.
The April 2015 indictment charges that Menendez received a series of gifts from Melgen—travel on private jets, luxury resort vacations, campaign contributions—and repaid the favors by intervening in regulatory matters involving the doctor. The case will provide a look at the new landscape for federal corruption law in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2016 ruling vacating the corruption conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Federal prosecutors also have a lot riding on the case in light of recent rulings reversing corruption convictions against McDonnell and former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. As the trial of Menendez and Melgen proceeds, here are three questions that are likely weighing on the minds of lawyers in the case.
Will the government’s case be undone by the “McDonnell” ruling?
McDonnell’s conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court on a finding that favors he provided to a benefactor did not rise to the level of official acts. The court ruled that “setting up a meeting, calling another public official, or hosting an event does not, standing alone, qualify as an ‘official act.’” In the McDonnell case, the governor arranged meetings with other state officials where the donor could discuss his fledgling business, and hosted events for the business at the governor’s mansion.
Trending Stories
-
Featured Firms
Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates P.C.75 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ste 101Atlanta, GA 30308(470) 294-1674www.garymartinhays.comLaw Offices of Mark E. Salomone2 Oliver St #608Boston, MA 02109(857) 444-6468www.marksalomone.comSmith & Hassler1225 N Loop W #525Houston, TX 77008(713) 739-1250www.smithandhassler.comPresented by BigVoodoo
More From ALM
View Now
View Now
View Now
Dubai
Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.
Learn More
Aurora, CO
The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.
Learn More
Philadelphia, PA
The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Learn More
A large and well-established Tampa company is seeking a contracts administrator to support the company's in-house attorney and manage a wide...
Apply Now ›
We are seeking an attorney to join our commercial finance practice in either our Stamford, Hartford or New Haven offices. Candidates should ...
Apply Now ›
We are seeking an attorney to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of general corporat...
Apply Now ›
Connecticut Law Tribune
MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS
View Announcement ›