In a recent revelation, Philip Sellinger, a New Jersey lawyer who ascended to the position of the state's chief federal prosecutor in 2021, testified that Senator Bob Menendez had expressed his belief that a friend of his had been indicted "unfairly."
He further stated that Menendez suggested he should scrutinize the case meticulously if he were to secure the position. As reported by American Military News, this testimony was given during the ongoing bribery trial of Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey.
Sellinger's testimony has added a new dimension to the case against Menendez, who stands accused of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes Benz from businessmen seeking favors. Among these businessmen is developer Fred Daibes. Prosecutors allege that Menendez, 70, attempted to unduly influence the outcome of a separate fraud indictment against Daibes in New Jersey.
During the trial, Sellinger recounted his meeting with Menendez in December 2020. He stated that Menendez began by inquiring about his vision for the U.S. attorney's office, before making a more direct comment about Daibes. "Senator Menendez said he believed Mr. Daibes was being treated unfairly," Sellinger testified. "Senator Menendez said he hoped that if I was appointed U.S. attorney that I would look at the case carefully."
Sellinger responded to Menendez by assuring him that he would approach all cases with the same level of scrutiny. He also mentioned that he would consult the Justice Department about the possibility of recusing himself from the case due to his previous involvement as a private attorney in a lawsuit concerning Daibes.
The prosecution argues that this meeting is one of several instances where Menendez has abused his power to assist those who have allegedly bribed him. Menendez is also accused of attempting to influence the outcome of two criminal cases handled by the New Jersey attorney general's office, improperly trying to protect a business monopoly of an Egyptian American businessman, and acting as an agent of Egypt.
According to the prosecution, Daibes offered cash, furniture, and gold bars to Menendez in an attempt to evade prosecution. Sellinger was eventually recused from overseeing the case, and Daibes pleaded guilty in New Jersey as part of a deal that included probation.
Despite the allegations, Menendez, a three-term senator, denies any wrongdoing and has pledged to run for re-election in November as an independent. Following his indictment last year, he resigned as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, leading to a significant decline in his political support in New Jersey and among Democratic colleagues.
The prosecution alleges that after their meeting, Menendez withdrew his support for Sellinger's nomination by President Joe Biden and instead backed another lawyer whom he believed he could influence in the Daibes case. However, this lawyer's candidacy fell through, and Menendez eventually supported Sellinger, who had previously fundraised for the senator and socialized with him.
During cross-examination, Menendez's lawyer, Avi Weitzman, questioned Sellinger about their 20-year friendship and whether the senator had ever asked him to do anything unethical. "I never believed him to be asking me to do anything improper or unethical," Sellinger responded.
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