Menendez, like Thomas, is immensely fun and charming. "Friends" just gravitate to him and want to be generous just to be in his company
So a friend gave the guy a couple of gold bars, no biggie. That's what friends are for. Signed: Clarence Thomas.
Heard the prosecutors had text messages from the wife to benefactors reminding them of acts the Senator had done for them. At least a quid pro? Gold makes a nice quo.
That might be enough. But not sure looking at the decision. Here are the facts (note to mods; this is from a public doc so no copyright issues - going over 4 paragraphs). These facts seem even worse than a text reminding him what the Senator had done. I think it may turn more on whether Sen. Menendez actually used his power as a Senator vs. the obvious intro and pressure McDonnell did, which the Court said were not official acts. The was the side of the quid pro quo they said was not met, which again, least there be confusion, I personally think is ridiculous. IMO, that was definitely corrupt, as is Menendez Governor McDonnell first met Williams in 2009, when Williams offered McDonnell transportation on his private airplane to assist with McDonnell's election campaign. Shortly after the election, Williams had dinner with Governor and Mrs. McDonnell at a restaurant in New York. The conversation turned to Mrs. McDonnell's search for a dress for the inauguration, which led Williams to offer to purchase a gown for her. Governor McDonnell's counsel later instructed Williams not to buy the dress, and Mrs. McDonnell told Williams that she would take a rain check. Id., at 2203–2209. In October 2010, Governor McDonnell and Williams met again on Williams's plane. During the flight, Williams told Governor McDonnell that he "needed his help" moving forward on the research studies at Virginia's public universities, and he asked to be introduced to the person that he "needed to talk to." Id., at 2210–2211. Six months later, Governor McDonnell's wife, Maureen McDonnell, offered to seat Williams next to the Governor at a political rally. Shortly before the event, Williams took Mrs. McDonnell on a shopping trip and bought her $20,000 worth of designer clothing. The McDonnells later had Williams over for dinner at the Governor's Mansion, where they discussed research studies on Anatabloc. Id., at 6560. The next day, Williams returned to the Governor's Mansion for a meeting with Mrs. McDonnell. At the meeting, Mrs. McDonnell described the family's financial problems, including their struggling rental properties in Virginia Beach and their daughter's wedding expenses. Mrs. McDonnell, who had experience selling nutritional supplements, told Williams that she had a background in the area and could help him with Anatabloc. According to Williams, she explained that the "Governor says it's okay for me to help you and—but I need you to help me. I need you to help me with this financial situation." Id., at 2231. Mrs. McDonnell then asked Williams for a $50,000 loan, in addition to a $15,000 gift to help pay for her daughter's wedding, and Williams agreed.
The problem is what U.S. Senators aren’t the patron of a billionaire? In FL we know Rubio is a lapdog. Maybe not Scott, but only because he personally is the 9 figure crook - but even with that I doubt he’d turn down a good deal for himself. I would assume almost all of them are on the take. Hell, even Supreme Court Justices are now political crooks with Alito and Thomas being specifically outed. If Menendez gave the feds a prosecutable case in an era of Supreme Court sanctioned legalized bribery, then he must be an idiot or not done the simple work to money launder his “gifts”.
The problem is that Menendez is a Democrat. This indictment is contrary to the two-tiered system of justice.
Even though Menendez is a Democrat, Trump if he is elected would most likely pardon him or commute his sentence as he did with Rod Blagojevich another Democrat convicted on corruption related charges.
I remember this case. Sure seems like corruption to me. Hard to believe that the SCOTUS overturned the conviction unanimously unless one considers that the members of the SCOTUS had unanimously accepted expensive gifts and travel they would not have otherwise gotten.
“Is that a gold brick in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?” — Bullion Bob Why not a flipn’ jump drive password key to 100 Bitcoin? Low tech criminals.
This. If We The People demanded better, we would eventually get better. If we all had zero tolerance for politicians being corrupt and horrible, then eventually we'd get politicians who weren't corrupt and horrible. Both sides need to do this and not excuse away lying, cheating, sexual assault, and corruption. Screw the D or the R after the name. Voters should hold elected officials accountable, and not excuse away piss poor behavior because of party affiliation. Not holding my breath, however.
Someone on Twitter did just note that you shouldn't judge Menendez, given that a burger and fries cost $78 in New Jersey, also mocking David Brooks.
