Federal Probe of Menendez is far from Dead

star ledger ^ | august 26, 2007 | jeff whelan

[Coleus]

It was nearly a year ago, during the heat of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez's election campaign, when federal investigators caused an uproar by issuing a subpoena for records of a real estate deal Menendez made. The investigation yielded no criminal charges, and by the start of summer Menendez's attorneys asked federal prosecutors to declare him exonerated.

Not only was that request ignored, according to sources with knowledge of the meeting, but in recent weeks new subpoenas went out, delving into other matters involving the Hudson County Democrat.

Tom O'Neil, a spokesman for the Jersey City Medical Center, confirmed last week that the hospital has received two subpoenas from federal investigators. He said hospital officials were gathering documents to fully cooperate with authorities. He declined to disclose details.

The subpoenas, according to people familiar with the command, are for records regarding government-relations consulting contracts. The subpoenas were signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Constable, the prosecutor spearheading the Menendez case. The subpoenas are related to that probe, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

Only a handful of lobbyists have worked for the hospital in recent years, and among them was Menendez's former chief of staff, Kay LiCausi. She earned a total of $280,000 from the hospital from 2003 until her contract ended earlier this year, according to hospital officials.

Critics have previously raised questions about the senator's relationship with his former aide because after LiCausi left his office, she quickly built a successful lobbying firm enlisting clients, such as the hospital, that rely on government funding.

LiCausi did not return calls for comment.

On Thursday, Jonathan Metsch, who served as president and chief executive of the Jersey City Medical Center when LiCausi worked for the hospital, testified before a grand jury,

[originalbuckeye]

But, but, but, I thought only Republicans were corrupt.

I only wish this would see the light of day in the MSM.

[appeal2]

So lets see them go after Dingy Harry and DiFi too. There’s no shortage of the culture of democratic corruption.

[originalbuckeye]

Absolutely agree.

[ClaireSolt]

HOw about day after day of insult and inuendo by the drive by media!

[originalbuckeye]

I would love to see the Dems have to endure the proctoscopic exam for just ONE day, like the Repubs do everyday. I’m so burned out on the blazing double standard.