Munger, Tolles & Olson Partner Jonathan Kravis Discusses the Bribery Trial and Sentencing of Senator Menendez in an Article Published by Politico
Munger, Tolles & Olson partner Jonathan Kravis spoke to Politico about the sentencing of former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez in an article titled, “Judge sentences former Sen. Bob Menendez to 11 years.”
The article provides an in-depth look at Senator Menendez’s legal proceedings and his 11-year prison sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein. The senator was found guilty of bribery, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, obstruction of justice, extortion and conspiracy. The sentencing marks a significant moment in political history, as Senator Menendez becomes one of the few senators to be sent to prison.
Jonathan, a former federal prosecutor, discussed key issues likely to be raised in Senator Menendez’s expected appeal. The article details how the senator’s defense team sought to have the case dismissed, contending that certain evidence obtained from a laptop should not have been presented to the jury. Additionally, they argued that Judge Stein made inappropriate rulings concerning the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause, which offers a form of immunity to members of Congress. Jonathan noted that the issues surrounding the laptop and speech or debate clause could interest the U.S. Supreme Court if an appeal were to be filed.
“If I were picking out the issues here, I’d say the speech or debate clause is a good candidate,” Jonathan said.