“A judge has dismissed indictments against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross and his five co-defendants, potentially ending a case that rocked New Jersey politics and boosted the profile of Attorney General Matt Platkin,” Politico reports.
Judge Declines to Dismiss Eric Adams Charges
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho declined the Trump administration’s bid to dismiss the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and appointed conservative lawyer and former solicitor general Paul Clement to argue against dismissal at a future hearing.
Trump Guts Ability to Fight Public Corruption
“The Trump administration has gutted the federal government’s ability to fight public corruption in a matter of weeks,” CNN reports.
“Since Inauguration Day, the Justice Department has paused all investigations into corporate foreign bribery, curtailed enforcement of a foreign agent registration law and deemphasized the criminal prosecutions of Russian oligarchs. And senior administration officials have considered eliminating the Department’s Public Integrity Section, which investigates and prosecutes alleged misconduct by federal, state and local public officials.”
Order to Drop Eric Adams Case Prompts Resignations
“Manhattan’s U.S. attorney on Thursday resigned just days after she was ordered to drop the corruption case against New York City’s mayor,” the New York Times reports.
“Then, when Justice Department officials sought to transfer the case to the public integrity section in Washington, which oversees corruption cases, the two men who led that unit also resigned.”
“The resignations represent the most high-profile public resistance so far to President Trump’s tightening control over the Justice Department.”
Associated Press: US attorney resigns after being ordered to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Adams.
Trump and Musk Hunt Selectively for Corruption
Peter Baker: “In this second incarnation as president, Mr. Trump is presenting himself as a born-again corruption fighter rooting out waste, fraud and abuse from all corners of the federal government — even as he is dismantling the government’s mechanisms for fighting corruption, as it has been traditionally defined.”
“The president is boasting that he and Elon Musk, his partner in the efficiency drive, have found ‘billions and billions of dollars’ of corrupt spending, although they have yet to provide evidence.”
“At the same time, his administration is dropping corruption cases against political figures with ties to him, firing inspectors general who actually search for abuse and pledging not to enforce a signature anti-corruption law against major corporations.”
Michael Madigan Found Guilty of Bribery and Conspiracy
“A federal jury has found former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D) guilty of bribery conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud in a partial verdict announced Wednesday morning,” the Chicago Sun Times reports.
“Jurors found Madigan guilty of 10 counts against him and not guilty of 7 others, including a charge of racketeering conspiracy. The jury reached no verdict on 6 other counts he faced.”
“Madigan watched as the verdict was brought to judge. As it was read, he looked down toward the floor, giving no expression as the counts were read, both guilty and not guilty, occasionally giving a slight nod. As he left the courtroom, he was met by his two daughters, Tiffany and Nicole, who had been seated in the front row. They touched his shoulder and followed him out.”
Justice Department Drops Charges Against Eric Adams
“The Justice Department on Monday told federal prosecutors in New York to drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted in September and accused of being under illegal foreign influence and accepting bribes through campaign donations and luxury travel perks,” the Washington Post reports.
Quote of the Day
“It looks like a bribe and a signal to every company that corruption is the name of the game.”
— Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), on X, describing Meta’s $25 million settlement with President Trump.
Quote of the Day
“President Trump was right. This process is political, and it’s corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.”
— Former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), outside the courthouse after Being sentenced to 11 years in prison, apparently angling for a pardon.
Justice Department May Drop Case Against Eric Adams
“Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams of New York,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Adams was indicted in September on charges including bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions after an investigation that began in 2021. He has pleaded not guilty, maintained his innocence and contended that he is being prosecuted because he criticized the Biden administration.”
Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison
Former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was sentenced to 11 years in prison “for operating what prosecutors called one of the most brazen corruption schemes in the country’s history, with bribes totaling nearly $1 million in cash, checks, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz,” the Washington Post reports.
The New York Times quotes Judge Sidney Stein: “You were successful, powerful. You stood at the apex of our political system. Somewhere along the way — I don’t know where it was — you lost your way. Working for the public good became working for your good.”
Menendez to Be Sentenced on Corruption Charges
“Robert Menendez, the once-powerful U.S. senator from New Jersey who was convicted last year of participating in a brazen scheme to trade political clout for bribes, could spend much of the rest of his life in prison after he is sentenced on Wednesday in Manhattan,” the New York Times reports.
Eric Adams to Meet with Trump
“Mayor Eric Adams will meet with President-elect Donald Trump Friday in Mar-a-Lago as federal corruption charges against Adams continue,” Politico reports.
“Trump, who will be sworn in three days later, has the power to pardon Adams.”
Prosecutors Want 15 Years for Bob Menendez
“Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have recommended a sentence of at least 15 years for Robert Menendez, New Jersey’s former senator who was convicted of trading his political clout for bribes,” the New York Times reports.
The prosecutors said the substantial sentences, combined with significant financial penalties would “provide just punishment for this extraordinary abuse of power and betrayal of the public trust, and to deter others from ever engaging in similar conduct.”
Michael Madigan Takes the Stand In His Corruption Trial
In a stunning and risky move, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D), once the state’s most powerful politician, took the witness stand in his corruption trial, while offering repeated and emphatic denials that he ever betrayed his elected position, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Eric Adams Committed Additional Crimes
“Federal prosecutors alleged in a recent court filing that New York City Mayor Eric Adams engaged in illegal activity beyond the bribery case laid out in a September indictment,” Politico reports.
New York Daily News: Federal prosecutors say they’ve uncovered “additional criminal conduct” by Adams.
Menendez Continues to Blame His Wife
Former Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) lawyers continued to blame Nadine Menendez, who goes on trial next month, indicating “that their client’s greatest failing was being led astray by a conniving wife,” the New York Times reports.
Bob Menendez’s Lawyers Seek Lenient Sentence
“Lawyers for former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez are urging a judge to be lenient at his sentencing later this month for his conviction on bribery charges, saying the ordeal has made him a “national punchline” despite a lifetime of good deeds that have saved lives,” the AP reports.
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