“Robert Menendez Case Eligible for Appeal”

AP:

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey may appeal his indictment on corruption charges, based partly on his argument that some of the charges stem from routine legislative work protected by the Constitution.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in Philadelphia, ruled on Friday that Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, may also appeal over his defense’s argument regarding separation of powers. His lawyers argued it would be up to the Senate, not the courts, to punish any violations over disclosure rules stemming from the allegation that Mr. Menendez did not include flights on a co-defendant’s plane on a Senate financial disclosure report.

Mr. Menendez is charged with accepting campaign donations and gifts in exchange for political influence. He has pleaded not guilty and has said his actions were not specifically to benefit a co-defendant, Dr. Salomon Melgen. Dr. Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist, has also pleaded not guilty.

 

Share this: