New Jersey
Menendez says claims against him involve 'neither official action nor breach of official duty' – New Jersey Monitor
Sen. Bob Menendez asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss charges that claim he accepted bribes in exchange for official favors to three North Jersey businessmen and two foreign nations, arguing many of the charges fail to meet a constitutional test that bars prosecutions for members of Congress over official actions.
In the new court filing, Menendez, a Democrat, argues prosecutors relied on certain actions the U.S. Constitution bars for prosecutorial use. He leans on a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision in McDonnell v. United States that sharply limited the scope of the federal bribery statute by narrowing the definition of “official act” to exclude meetings, event hosting, and calls to other public officials.
The senator faces a raft of corruption charges, including conspiracies to commit bribery, honest services fraud, and extortion under the color of official right. He is also accused of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar, charges that are unprecedented for a sitting member of Congress.
In legal terms, this scheme has no quo.
– Sen. Menendez’s Jan. 10 motion to dismiss
Prosecutors allege Menendez received cash, gold bars, furniture, a Mercedes Benz, and payments to a consulting firm launched by Nadine Menendez — the senator’s wife and co-defendant — in exchange for his intercession in criminal prosecutions, military aid disbursements, and international negotiations, among other things.
In his motion to dismiss the case, the senator argues he could not face bribery charges over the alleged schemes because of the Constitution’s speech or debate clause.
“To be clear, no Member of Congress is above the law—Senator Menendez included. The government is free to prosecute a Member of Congress for agreeing to exchange legislative action for personal benefits, so long as it does not cast aspersions on (or reference) any legislative acts themselves,” the filing reads. “But here, the Indictment does not try to walk that line; it flouts it entirely.”
The filing says the actions that prosecutors allege Menendez took as part of the schemes — like calls to prosecutors or urgings that federal agencies intervene in negotiations between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia — also would not sustain a bribery prosecution because such unofficial actions would not meet the bar for a quid pro quo set by federal bribery law.
Menendez, who joined the U.S. Senate in 2006 and whose term ends next year, has said he will not resign. He has not announced a campaign for reelection yet, though four Democrats, including Rep. Andy Kim and First Lady Tammy Murphy, are seeking the Democratic nomination for his seat in June.
His trial is set to begin in May, just as voters are receiving mail-in ballots for June’s primary.
Among the allegations facing Menendez are claims that he sought to interfere in the state prosecution of a relative and associate of co-defendant Jose Uribe. In Wednesday’s motion, Menendez argues he cannot face bribery charges over this claim because, as a federal lawmaker, he has no official authority over state matters, and because he did not leverage the powers of his office — by stalling grant funds, for example — in his discussions with a senior state prosecutor overseeing the case.
“Ultimately, the New Jersey Scheme rests on activities that any private citizen could equally undertake,” the senator’s filing says. “That is a telling sign that it involves neither official action nor breach of official duty. In legal terms, this scheme has no quo.”
Prosecutors’ allegations regarding Menendez’s actions in relation to Egypt and Qatar are some of their most eye-popping. They say Menendez issued favorable statements about Qatar to help co-defendant Fred Daibes secure a development deal with a member of Qatar’s royal family, and that he shared sensitive but unclassified information with Egypt about staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, another other claims.
In a speech on the floor of the Senate Tuesday, Menendez prosecutors in his case are attempting to criminalize “the normal engagement of members of Congress with a foreign government.” He made similar arguments in his Wednesday filing.
“It takes little imagination to see what winds the government is sowing,” the senator’s filing says. “Suppose a senator comes back from Israel and says he will support whatever aid Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu seeks. When he does so, is that at the ‘order’ or ‘request’ of a foreign power? Does it matter whether he would vote that way anyway? Is this really a question for a jury at trial?”
The filing says Menendez will unveil more details in future documents submitted to the court by Jan. 15.
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Trump signs executive order creating TrumpIRA.gov, which workers whose employers don’t offer 401(k) plans can use to enroll in a retirement plan.
New survey data released May 13 suggests affordability pressures are increasingly shaping whether older New Jersey residents stay or leave the state.
More than one-third of residents age 45 and older – 35% – said they have considered leaving New Jersey in the past year, according to a new AARP New Jersey “Vital Voices” survey. Among those weighing a move, 67% said the high cost of living is a primary reason.
The findings come as state lawmakers continue discussions centered on property taxes, utility costs and policies aimed at helping residents age in place.
“New Jersey should be a place where people can afford to grow older, not a place they feel forced to leave,” Chris Widelo, state director of AARP New Jersey, said in a statement. “Right now, rising costs are pushing people out.”
NJ property taxes, utilities driving concern
Affordability pressures extend across multiple key household costs.
Property taxes remain a central concern, with 53% of respondents citing them as a factor in considering leaving the state. The survey also found strong support for the Stay NJ program, which provides eligible homeowners with up to $6,500 in annual property tax relief.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they support keeping the program intact, including maintaining the full benefit.
Rising utility costs are also a growing concern. About 89% of respondents said they are worried about increasing electricity bills, including a majority who said they are “very concerned.”
Support for caregiving relief, transparency
The survey highlights financial and logistical pressures facing caregivers, as more residents provide unpaid care for aging relatives.
More than half – 54% – of adults age 45 and older said they have served as unpaid caregivers. A majority said caregiving costs are a financial concern, and 86% expressed support for a caregiver tax credit.
Respondents also backed greater oversight of long-term care facilities. Strong majorities said they support requirements for nursing homes to disclose ownership, staffing levels and financial arrangements, along with greater transparency in how Medicaid funding is spent.
What it means for NJ budget talks
The findings underscore a broader policy debate in Trenton over how to address affordability challenges while maintaining services.
AARP New Jersey is urging state leaders to prioritize policies that reduce financial strain on older adults, including property tax relief, utility affordability and support for caregivers.
“This survey sends a clear message,” Widelo said. “If New Jersey wants to remain a place where people can age with dignity, we must focus on making it more affordable to stay.”
This story was created by reporter Joe Martino, jmartino@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
New Jersey
24-year-old elected mayor of NJ town as incumbent faced backlash in wake of massive warehouse fire
BELLEVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) — Frank Vélez, a 24-year-old town councilman, was elected as the new mayor of Belleville, New Jersey, on Tuesday.
Vélez may be young, but he has years of experience after he became involved in politics at 19 because his sister has special needs.
He has served on the school board in Belleville and the town council, and he was on the staff of former congressman Bill Pascrell.
Vélez said his win is a testament to hard work.
“We ran on getting back to the basics, the quality of life. Talking about responsible development and just talking about getting back to the priorities of working people,” Vélez said.
Incumbent Michael Melham faced backlash for his handling of a massive warehouse fire that shut down schools for more than a week.
There has been growing pessimism in town, highlighted by the massive 14-alarm warehouse fire this month that caused residents to evacuate and schools to shut down for days.
Parents and educators wrote a joint letter critical of Melham and school leadership for failing to communicate with parents during the emergency.
“In the hours and days following the fire, our community was left navigating uncertainty with little or no official instruction, resorting to group chats and scavenging social media for guidance or information, both of which should have been provided by the government that we entrust for such tasks,” the letter read in part.
Vélez said he’s ready to get to work.
“I feel grateful. I am humbled, and I’m just- just so ready to get to work as the next mayor of Belleville. And I’m so grateful to everyone for support. This was a resounding victory,” Vélez said.
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Round-trip bus fares for fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been cut by 75% as officials scrambled to secure backup transportation between the Big Apple and New Jersey, a new report said.
The New York/New Jersey host committee slashed fares from $80 to $20 for ticket holders traveling from three Manhattan locations to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ — and boosted capacity from 10,000 to 18,000 seats by adding yellow school buses for the eight World Cup games, The Athletic reported.
Buses will shuttle up to 18,000 people on non-school matchdays, and about 12,000 on school-day games between June 13 and July 19.
The steep price cut comes after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pumped $6 million into hacking down fares – with the investment setting aside about 20% of bus tickets for state residents who have purchased match tickets, the outlet reported.
Sources familiar with ticket sales told the Athletic that about 25% to 30% of tri-state area residents have already scooped up admissions for games at MetLife Stadium.
Alongside the major investment, Highland Fleets, which manages electric school bus fleets, worked with the New York City School Bus Umbrella Services – after contacting Hochul, the committee, and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani – to secure additional buses, with about 300 hitting the road on peak matchdays.
The transit rides will leave from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a Midtown east location east of Grand Central Terminal, and a Midtown North location west of Central Park, the outlet reported.
Highland Fleets chief operating officer Ben Schutzman said the goal was to create “affordable and accessible” bus services during the World Cup, while a Mamdani spokesperson praised the mayor’s support for discounted rides for ticketholders.
“Mayor Mamdani supports any effort that makes transportation more affordable for New Yorkers – including reduced-cost buses for World Cup ticketholders,” the mayor’s rep told the outlet.
“We look forward to rolling out additional free and affordable events to ensure that all New Yorkers can enjoy the World Cup.”
The price-slashing effort comes days after New Jersey Transit trimmed its widely slammed World Cup fare hike by 30% after securing funding from “sponsors and other sources.”
The new price will be set at $105 for a round-trip ticket from Manhattan to MetLife after fares were bumped more than 1,000% from the standard $12.90 ticket to a whopping $150.
The eight games being played at the Garden State stadium are set for June 13, June 16, June 22, June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5, and July 19.
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