# NJ Senator Menendez indicted on multiple corruption charges {2023-09-22} - Convicted on all counts on July 16, 2024
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544
**Category:** Politics & Elections
**Created:** [September 22, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544 "2023-09-22T15:02:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 9
### Author:  [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/161 "2023-10-13T17:43:51Z")
I have to say, you made my point way better than I did.
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### Author:  [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/162 "2023-10-13T17:45:18Z")
If you can’t remove Menendez as a Senator, he should at the very least be stripped of all committee assignments and kept far away from classified material.
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/163 "2023-10-13T17:45:24Z")
> **Hidden, see Modnote**
>
> But this is the Menedez thread and his post seemed a lot about what the Republicans do. So it is either a tu quoque or a non sequitur unless he wants to follow his post up about how the Republicans led Menendez to a life of corruption.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/164 "2023-10-13T17:46:00Z")
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/165 "2023-10-13T17:48:04Z")
**Moderating**
**This thread is not about Republicans.** Stop bringing them back up after it died off.
I’m hiding your last post.
**To all,** not a thread about Republican corruption, etc. This one is for my piece of crap Senator who is a Democrat.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/166 "2023-10-13T17:59:19Z")
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### Author:  [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/167 "2023-10-13T18:12:46Z")
I know he stepped down as the head of the Foreign Relations Committee already. I don’t know what other committees he’s on.
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### Author:  [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/168 "2023-10-13T18:15:16Z")
> [@slicedalone](#):
>
> Is there any sign that he’s trying to use his resignation as a bargaining chip to reduce or eliminate jail time? On his part? On the government’s? Or would this be kept secret until revealed?
We wouldn’t know unless a deal is made. Lots of ideas are floated during negotiations, and a condition like this would be talked about in very hypothetical ways unless an agreement was reached. Neither side would publicly float the concept. So, it’s possible that 1) neither side wants such a deal, 2) one side is open to it, or 3) both sides are interested (but haven’t reached agreement on other terms).
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### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/169 "2023-10-13T19:03:36Z")
Plus, I would think the DOJ would be very cautious about asking a sitting Senator to resign. That would play into the argument that the DOJ has been politicized and is using the criminal law power for political goals.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/170 "2023-10-13T19:58:49Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> That would play into the argument that the DOJ has been politicized and is using the criminal law power for political goals.
Optics matter a lot in government. Even where I work, in very low levels of state government, we have it drilled in us to be aware of optics. Sometimes it can make it harder to do your job, but you can’t ignore it.
I really dislike the idea of treating someone different because of their position. To quote Adams, “This is a government of laws, not of men.” But you have to be realistic.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/171 "2023-10-13T20:07:49Z")
I want to see this slimeball face justice, too, but for the sake of accuracy, no, what he did wasn’t treason, because we’re not at war with Egypt.
There are still plenty of other crimes he can and should be charged with. Saying that he’s not a traitor doesn’t mean that he’s going to get off scott-free. But let’s talk about those other actual crimes.
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### Author:  [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)
#### Post date: [October 13, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/172 "2023-10-13T23:29:22Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> We should forgo doing the right thing because some malefactor may lie about it in the future.
I assume there was meant to be a “not” in the sentence above.
Anyway, the right thing to do is to assume innocence until proven otherwise. Claims in an indictment shouldn’t be assumed true.
Sometimes this ideal is unachievable. I don’t propose releasing those indicted for first degree murder on their own recognizance. And there’s a case to be made for taking away Menendez’s access to highly classified information relating to Egypt now. But pre-trial sanctions should be kept to a minimum.
I don’t see the urgency of taking away the man’s job pre-trial.
The negative effect on the people of New Jersey, of waiting for a trial verdict, seems to me highly speculative.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/173 "2023-10-19T00:57:37Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> The negative effect on the people of New Jersey, of waiting for a trial verdict, seems to me highly speculative.
No more or less than the last time he was indicted.
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### Author:  [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/174 "2023-12-05T00:50:30Z")
What do you think is the offense Senator Menendez committed with the gold bars, from the news stories coming out today? What do you think he might get charged with about the bars?
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### Author:  [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/175 "2023-12-05T02:32:32Z")
Apparently some of the gold bars found in Menendez’s home can be directly tied to a New Jersey businessman. Those bars were stolen from the businessman and then recovered years ago, therefore the serial numbers and the owner were recorded by the police. The assertion is that the businessman later used the bars to bribe Menendez. For what purpose is not reported in the story…
> - At least four gold bars found in the FBI search of [Sen. Robert Menendez](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/tag/bob-menendez/)’s home had been directly linked to a New Jersey businessman now accused of bribing the state’s senior senator, records show
> - The businessman, Fred Daibes, reported to police he was the victim of an armed robbery in 2013, and he asked police recover the 22 gold bars stolen from him
> - A decade later, the FBI said it found four gold bars with unique serial numbers in the Clifton home of Menendez and his wife Nadine
> **[Gold bars featured in Bob Menendez bribery case linked to 2013 robbery,...](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/gold-bars-featured-in-bob-menendez-bribe-case-linked-to-2013-robbery-records-show/4919801/)**
>
> At least four gold bars found in the FBI search of Sen. Robert Menendez’s home had been directly linked to a New Jersey businessman now accused of bribing the state’s senior senator, records show
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### Author:  [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2023, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/176 "2023-12-05T10:07:04Z")
Thank you MulderMuffin! I appreciate what you wrote. I thought I was reading the articles wrong. I’ve got a wrong-headed view of a senator’s ethics so it’s hard to read the finding.
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### Author:  [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/177 "2024-01-02T22:33:16Z")
So Menendez is now charged with a superseding/unforeseen cause. I got some ideas the federal prosecuter but it’s not disclosed yet.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/178 "2024-01-03T00:48:13Z")
> [@Eric1](#):
>
> So Menendez is now charged with a superseding/unforeseen cause. I got some ideas the federal prosecuter but it’s not disclosed yet.
> **[Sen. Bob Menendez took luxury watches, gold bars to help pal cut deal with...](https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/02/sen-bob-menendez-took-luxury-watches-gold-bars-to-help-pal-cut-deal-with-qatari-investors-say-feds/)**
>
> Manhattan federal prosecutors accused Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey of taking gold bars and luxury watches to help a pal seeking a business deal with Qatari investors.
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### Author:  [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/179 "2024-01-03T11:02:36Z")
I mean, who doesn’t get gold bars from their friends? Every Christmas, we do the ol’ gold bar and luxury watch exchange with all our friends. Doesn’t everyone?
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### Author:  [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2024, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-senator-menendez-indicted-on-multiple-corruption-charges-2023-09-22-convicted-on-all-counts-on-july-16-2024/990544/180 "2024-01-03T11:12:13Z")
I _thought_ that Toblerone bar was hard to chew…
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