The Justice Department appears to be nearing possible charges against Sen. Bob Menendez, the culmination of a long public-corruption probe, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
Prosecutors are expected to meet with Menendez’s lawyers in the coming weeks ahead of a final decision, the people told the paper, according to a report out Friday. Late-stage meetings with the Justice Department typically come after prosecutors believe they have developed the evidence they need to bring charges.
Menendez, a Democrat, is New Jersey’s senior senator in the closely divided chamber. He serves as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Menendez has been under scrutiny by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York. The probe in part has investigated whether the senator or his wife, Nadine Arslanian, received gifts in exchange for political favors.
Prosecutors also have investigated the circumstances surrounding a lucrative contract that a New Jersey businessman secured with Egyptian officials for certifying halal meat exports, the Journal has reported. The businessman, whom Menendez hosted in his office along with Egyptian officials in 2018, became the lone certifier of halal meat exported from the U.S. to Egypt the following year.
Menendez could continue to serve in the Senate if charged. He avoided conviction on separate corruption charges five years ago.
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