The Jersey Journal, the same publication that Xpatriated Texan rightly noted on Blue Jersey had pretty much exonerated Bob Menendez from any ethical wrondoing in the North Hudson Community Action rental deal in a 1996 article, has a new article out today that is another must-read.
In case you missed Thursday's release of the tape's contents:
"In the "newest" revelations, Scarinci is heard on tape using Menendez's name in trying to get Sandoval to hire Dr. Vicente Ruiz - "Menendez will consider that a favor," Scarinci says, unaware that he is being secretly recorded by Sandoval - if the psychiatrist wants to keep his million-dollar contracts with the county. This taping occurred seven years ago."
The author follows up by reiterating that these ethical charges are perhaps smoke-and-mirrors from a campaign short on substance but strong on mudslinging and false accusations (Remember the Musto tapes?)
"The way the GOP campaign has been tossing the sludge one can guess and come close on what is next on the hit parade. It is all about personal relationships and attempts to paint Menendez as ethically challenged - after all he's from Hudson County."
In this complicated case, Sandoval, who is accusing Menendez of wrongdoing, is being brought to court by Hudson County for raking in millions from contracts, and this case, according to the article, has already been brought before federal prosecutors. Hence, the question is, since the recordings themselves are already known to prosecutors, and if Menendez has any culpability, the author asks, "why haven't prosecutors gone after them [Menendez and Scarinci]?" Perhaps the answer is that Menendez, who in over 30 years of public office has not been indicted nor even charged with ethical wrongdoing, is innocent of these charges, and Scarinci was merely invoking his name to curry favor.
