TRENTON, N.J. _ Federal prosecutors said Wednesday they would drop their bribery case against U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, days after a judge acquitted the New Jersey Democrat of several charges.
Prosecutors, citing the judge's decision, said they would move to dismiss the grand jury indictment of Menendez and his co-defendant, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen.
Prior to the judge's ruling last week, the Justice Department had said it would retry the case. The first trial, which lasted 11 weeks, ended in a hung jury in November. Although the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on any of the 18 counts, jurors later told reporters that the vote was 10-2 in favor of acquittal.
Menendez is now likely to run for re-election in November with the full support of his party, without the cloud of a corruption trial hanging over him.
"I never wavered in my innocence and my belief that justice would prevail," Menendez said in a statement. "I am grateful that the Department of Justice has taken the time to reevaluate its case and come to the appropriate conclusion.
"I thank God for hearing my prayers and for giving me strength during this difficult time. I have devoted my life to serving the people of New Jersey, and am forever thankful for all who have stood by me," the senator said. "No matter the challenges ahead, I will never stop fighting for New Jersey and the values we share."
The Justice Department's announcement came almost five years to the day after federal investigators raided Melgen's South Florida office.
Prosecutors spent more than two years building their case against Menendez, whose political career was upended in 2015 when a grand jury accused him of effectively selling his office so he could live a life of luxury he couldn't afford.
He and Melgen were accused of conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud, among other charges. Prosecutors said Melgen lavished the senator with free trips on his private jet, vacations at his villa in the Dominican Republic, a three-night stay at an upscale Paris hotel and hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.
In exchange, the government said, Menendez used the power of his office to advance Melgen's personal and financial interests.
Menendez, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2006, resisted calls to resign and vowed he would be vindicated. At trial, his lawyers argued that the gifts and Menendez's advocacy were explained by his longtime friendship with Melgen. Jurors mostly appeared to buy that argument.
In a separate criminal case, Melgen was convicted of Medicare fraud last year.
