The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly contemplating criminal charges against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) following an extensive corruption investigation.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that prosecutors are planning to meet with Menendez's legal team in the coming weeks, an indication that they have assembled the necessary evidence to press charges. These kinds of meetings typically happen toward the end of an investigation and provide an opportunity for defense lawyers to argue why their clients should not be indicted, as reported by the Daily Wire.

Connection to New Jersey-based halal meat business

The criminal investigation into Menendez first came to light last October.

It primarily focused on how a New Jersey-based halal meat company, IS EG Halal, secured an exclusive global contract with Egypt for certifying halal exports.

This raised eyebrows as several other firms' contracts were abruptly terminated in 2019, according to NBC News.

Multiple sources informed the publication that the U.S. Agriculture Department harbored suspicions about the manner in which the sizable contract was awarded to a company with minimal experience.

Menendez's wife is acquainted with the owners of the company, as the report mentioned.

Furthermore, Menendez, as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, oversees billions of dollars in arms sales to Egypt.

Past indictment of Menendez

In 2015, Menendez faced indictment on bribery charges.

He was accused of accepting luxury vacations, golf outings, campaign contributions, and costly flights from Florida physician Salomon Melgen in exchange for political favors.

Melgen was later convicted by a federal jury in Florida on 67 counts for orchestrating frauds.

Prosecutors described it as a massive fraud scheme that defrauded Medicare of up to $105 million, as was reported by the Palm Beach Post.

The investigation into Menendez began in 2012 when authorities received a tip alleging that Menendez was engaging in sexual activities with underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.

Suspicion over award of contract

As reported by NBC News, numerous sources indicated that the U.S. Agriculture Department had reservations about how the significant contract was awarded to a company with limited experience.

This came after the contracts of several other firms were suddenly terminated in 2019.

Menendez's wife is known to be friends with the owners of the company, as the report notes.

Moreover, Menendez's role as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the control he wields over billions of dollars in weapons sales to Egypt has given officials additional cause for concern in this context.

Conclusion

• The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly contemplating criminal charges against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) following an extensive corruption investigation.
• The investigation focused on how IS EG Halal, a New Jersey-based halal meat business, secured an exclusive global contract with Egypt for certifying halal exports, amidst the sudden termination of several other firms' contracts in 2019.
• Menendez's wife is friends with the owners of IS EG Halal, and Menendez, as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, oversees billions of dollars in arms sales to Egypt.
• Menendez faced indictment on bribery charges in 2015 for accepting gifts from Florida physician Salomon Melgen in exchange for political favors.
• Prosecutors are expected to meet with Menendez's lawyers in the coming weeks, an indication that they have assembled the necessary evidence to press charges.