As U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s federal corruption trial kicks off today, Democrat gubernatorial nominee Phil Murphy is doubling-down on his out-of-touch support for the indicted U.S. Senator.
When asked today by reporters if he thought a U.S. Senator convicted of a federal crime should stay in the Senate, Murphy responded “I haven’t really thought about it.”
And then when he was given a chance to distance himself from Menendez, Murphy didn’t waver, and “pointed out that he has long stood by Menendez.”
Murphy and his wife have contributed more than $18,000 to Menendez for his legal defense fund and Senate campaign since the indictment, proving to voters that he has no problem with the corruption allegations against Menendez. New Jersey deserves better.
The Associated Press has more details:
“In New Jersey, Democrats stand behind Menendez. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy has stood with Menendez and touted his endorsement in this year’s campaign to succeed Christie, who is term limited. Murphy declined to say Wednesday whether senators convicted of crimes should resign, but he pointed out that he has long stood by Menendez.
Murphy and his wife have donated $18,100 to Menendez’s legal defense fund and Senate campaign since the indictment…”
CBS News: Federal prosecutor says N.J. senator "sold his office"
A federal prosecutor said Wednesday the case against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez is about a corrupt politician who, "sold his office for a lifestyle he couldn't afford, and a greedy eye doctor," CBS News' Pat Milton and Erica Brown report.
Prosecutor Peter Koski methodically and meticulously laid out the U.S. government's corruption case against 63-year-old Menendez, a Democrat, who is charged with accepting bribes including lavish vacations and hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida eye doctor, in exchange for political influence and favors to advance his business interests.
"Robert Menendez was Salomon Melgen's personal U.S. senator," Koski said in a wood-paneled courtroom packed with attorneys, reporters, and supporters of Menendez including Cory Booker, the junior senator from New Jersey and a fellow Democrat.