Posted on 09/28/2006 12:58:16 PM PDT by Courdeleon02
Report links Menendez to scheme Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/28/06 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TRENTON — A psychiatrist who worked as an FBI informant in a criminal investigation of several northern New Jersey politicians has linked U.S. Senate Democrat Robert Menendez to a scheme to manipulate government contracts, several published reports said today.
In court papers filed in New Jersey in March, Oscar Sandoval said he was pressured in 1999 to hire a doctor Menendez preferred or he would risk losing $1 million in government contracts.
Sandoval taped the 20-minute telephone call with Donald Scarinci, a longtime friend of Menendez who is also a powerful lawyer and has been a fundraiser for Menendez's campaign.
Scarinci allegedly told Sandoval that Menendez would consider it "a favor" if the doctor, Vicente Ruiz, was hired, adding that Ruiz would offer him "protection."
If not, Sandoval would risk losing psychiatric-services contracts at various facilities, including the Hudson County Jail.
If he did not hire Ruiz, Scarinci allegedly said "the law of the jungle" would be put into effect. Sandoval hired Ruiz.
Scarinci did not immediately return a call for comment but in a statement said the tape has long been part of a civil lawsuit brought by Hudson County to retrieve millions of dollars from Sandoval.
"I will clearly state that none of my dealings with Dr. Sandoval were either directed or requested by Bob Menendez," Scarinci said in the statement.
The tape was obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer and a transcript of it was obtained by The Star-Ledger of Newark, those newspapers reported.
Menendez campaign spokesman Matthew Miller said if the tape is accurate, Scarinci was using Menendez's name without his authorization or knowledge. He told The Star-Ledger for today's newspapers that the campaign has cut its contact with Scarinci.
Republican Senate candidate Tom Kean Jr. has repeatedly attacked Menendez's ethics during the campaign, attempting to link him to a host of scandals that have brought down other Hudson County officials. The U.S. attorney's office is looking into a lease agreement Menendez had with a nonprofit organization to which he rented a house and for which he helped obtain funds. Menendez has said he has never committed any wrongdoing.
Sandoval was not immediately able to be reached for comment today. He worked as an undercover FBI agent from 1999 to 2001.
Look for the switcheroo any day now.
Democrat?
It never happened.
Switcheroo? J-pod doesn't think so...
What a state!!! Hey Menendez...just say you're a Gay American!!
Calling Sciranci just a "fundraiser" for Menendez is like calling Karl Rove just a "campaign operative" for George W. Bush. The notion that Scricanci ever used Bob Menendez' name without him knowing it is ludicrous.
I agree - I think the switcheroo would really be the death knell for the Democrats this time. "Fool me once" and all that. Tom Kean was leading in this race before any of the corruption stuff came out about Menendez anyway, and he will beat anybody else they put on the ballot. My guess is the Dems just take their lumps on this one and try to take Kean out in 2012.
I like John Podhoretz but he doesn't understand anything goes in NJ. The DIMS will do anything to keep this seat because if they don't win there is no way they can gain control of the Senate.
I agree New Jersey may be the critical race that enables the Republicans to hold on to the Senate.
It's also our only realistic pickup option.
When you consider at that we'll likely lose at least 2 out of 3 of PA/OH/MT, I hope we can pick up NJ and maybe MD.
Modern day NJ Democrats may try to pull another rabbit out of the hat. Democrats in NJ just keep turning sour, but they have yet to pay the price for it. Compare to Ohio, where the GOP leadership has nearly killed any chance of success there.
Do not fret. Their is a guy who is following the races here on Freerepublic and he is good, look for his fairly regular thread. He has us even to -2, if we pick up NJ we would be essentially even. Steele was on Laura Ingraham and noted he has a huge numbers for a Republican in the African American community. I remain slightly optimistic for the Senate.
FWIW the rumor is that the Dems are lining up the guy who served the remainder of McGreevey's term to pinch hit for Menendez. I grew up in New Jersey and I don't put anything past these people. Practically everybody in the government of my town died in jail.
This is business as usual in NJ. The dems make millions for themselves and their buddies.
Will they light the "Torch" again?
Michigan is also a decent chances as well, if there is good Get the vote out process and GOP tend to finish strong and a incumbent Governor there who is deeply unpopular. Repubs chances of holding senate majority look pretty decent.
I must respectfully disaggree with John Podheretz on this one.
If Menendez goes down, people are going to resent Kean for taking him down. They will be looking for an alternative.
After our long state-wide soap opera over the resignation of McGreevey, Codey had goodwill in spades as the steady father-figure who calmed the waters. He can come in and do that again. If Codey is on the ballot, he will win at a walk.
The only way to prevent that is to prevent him from getting on the ballot. The time to do that is now. If Menendez tries to quit, the sensible remedy is for the NJ Supreme Court to deny him the right to quit. Once he is gone, they will put Codey on the ballot. Kean must act now to prevent Menendez from quitting.
He should publically file a brief with the NJ Supreme Court immediately, stating explicitly that Menendez must not be allowed to remove himself from the ballot. When Menendez goes to quit, the consensus must be that he shall not be allowed to do so. For once there is a vacancy, Codey is on the ballot and he is in like Flynn.
New Jersey is so proud.....the torch...brain dead lautenberg...corrzine...and menendez...no wonder NJ is the butt of all jokes....the state motto....
political corruption & NJ...perfect together!!!!
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