Global Courant 2023-04-18 18:07:22
Senator Bob Menendez, DN.J., will set up a legal defense fund to help pay tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees related to the federal criminal investigation into his dealings with foreign regulators, according to a new report.
Menendez’s office confirmed plans to establish the fund to NBC News on Monday, as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York continued its months-long investigation into the senator. The probe has already cost Menendez about $200,000 in campaign funds, according to documents obtained by NBC.
“Senator Menendez is confident that this official investigation will be successfully closed, but since it is still unresolved, he will open a separate legal defense fund so as not to swallow up further campaign funds,” a spokeswoman for Menendez said. at the outlet. Fox News Digital reached out to Menendez’s office for additional comment, but they did not immediately respond.
The investigation, which involves several federal agencies, examines lavish gifts Menendez’s wife received from a New Jersey food producer who was awarded an exclusive contract with the Egyptian government to certify halal food exports around the world.
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Senator Bob Menendez, DN.J., center right, faces an investigation into whether he improperly influenced a contract agreement between a New Jersey company and the government of Egypt. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The investigation is looking into whether Menendez may have improperly used his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to influence the deal. The commission monitors about $2 billion in U.S. aid to Egypt, according to NBC.
Menendez continues to deny all allegations against him.
US Senator Bob Menendez is reportedly setting up a legal defense fund to address an ongoing federal investigation. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
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Federal investigators opened a new investigation into Menendez in October and have given no indication of how long it is expected to continue.
Senator Bob Menendez faces an investigation into gifts his wife, Nadine Arslanian, allegedly received and how it may have impacted his efforts to benefit a New Jersey company.
Menendez was previously indicted for federal bribery in 2016. That case involved a wealthy Florida ophthalmologist and longtime friend who gave generous donations to Menedez and allegedly received benefits in return.
However, the Justice Department dropped these charges in 2018, and the new investigation appears to have nothing to do with that case.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
