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Eugene

(62,674 posts)
Wed Aug 9, 2017, 05:25 PM Aug 2017

Judge delays NJ Senator Menendez's dismissal bid, trial set for September 6

Source: Reuters

#POLITICS AUGUST 9, 2017 / 4:32 PM / 2 HOURS AGO

Judge delays NJ Senator Menendez's dismissal bid, trial set for September 6

Jonathan Stempel
2 MIN READ

(Reuters) - A judge has decided to delay ruling on whether federal corruption charges against Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey should be dismissed, clearing the way for the Democrat's trial to begin as scheduled on Sept. 6.

In an order dated Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Walls in Newark, New Jersey said he would rule after prosecutors present their case to a jury.

Menendez had argued last month that his bribery and fraud charges should be dismissed because they were not criminal, under a June 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the corruption conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

That decision narrowed the definition of "official acts," and said routine political activities such as arranging meetings and reaching out to public officials did not qualify.

Walls wrote that whether Menendez's alleged wrongful activities as "official acts" was a "factual determination" to be made after prosecutors presented their evidence at trial.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-jersey-menendez-idUSKBN1AP2I3
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