Meme Misleads on Menendez Case
Weeks prior to the midterm elections, an obsolete meme circulating on Facebook has resurrected charges from New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez.
The favorite meme informs users who Menendez is”on trial for corruption” along with a suspect who had been”convicted and so is becoming life in prison in a situation which involves selling underage minority immigrant women into prostitution.”
“Where’s your outrage?” The meme, posted Oct. 10, inquires.
However, the meme distorts the truth in many respects.
Menendez was attempted last year that he utilized his influence and had accepted bribes. In return, the federal indictment alleged, Menendez obtained presents, holidays, and countless thousands in political contributions.
The trial finished in November 2017 when a jury deadlocked, resulting in a mistrial. A federal judge then acquitted that the senator on a few of the fees and the authorities finally fell the instance. The Senate Ethics Committee, at a letter before this season,” severely admonished” Menendez because of his activities.
So, Menendez isn’t any more”on trial” — because the circulating meme admits — or facing fees.
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And what about the promise that Menendez’s co-defendant and buddy, Salomon Melgen, obtained”life in prison” in a situation involving heterosexual sex workers? That incorrect.
At a different instance, Melgen, an ophthalmologist, was accused of defrauding Medicare, such as by submitting false claims and falsifying entries in patient charts. He had been sentenced in February to 17 years in prison after being convicted of 67 counts.
Neither of those two cases involved any fees.
Early in the corruption case, researchers did really probe statements from an anonymous tipster who Menendez and Melgen had solicited underage prostitutes from the Dominican Republic. Those allegations have been investigated, court documents indicate, rather than led to charges being filed.
Nonetheless, the unproven claims are utilized as the foundation for an attack ad from the senator because he seeks reelection since the Washington Post’s Fact Checker has reported. faces Republican Bob on Nov. 6.
