Sen. Robert Menendez probe widens, as investigators look to decade-old dealings

Investigators already scrutinizing Sen. Robert Menendez’s ties to a Florida doctor-donor friend have now widened their investigation, going back a decade in the New Jersey politician’s career and examining the circumstances surrounding his legislative halt to a company merger.

According to a report in The Washington Free Beacon, this planned merger would have hit hard at a company in which Mr. Menendez was invested. Additionally, investigators are looking at another company Mr. Menendez reportedly helped; the Newark Star-Ledger reports he helped move along contract negotiations for a Dominican Republic business that benefited investors in New Jersey who also donated to his campaign.

Roll Call reminds that quid pro quo cases are often impossible to prove. The trade of favors for contributions is a hard case to make without wiretaps or something in print, the report says.

The Ethics Committee is “aware” of all the media attention on Mr. Menendez, Sen. Johnny Isakson said.

Mr. Menendez has been battling charges he used his political office to benefit his Florida friend, in return for campaign donations. He’s also fending off allegations of attending a party with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.