What’s Happening:

New Jersey Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez was recently indicted in a bribery scheme. Federal authorities have accused Menendez and several others of operating this scheme, in which he received money and other luxuries from foreign entities.

Menendez claims he is innocent, despite what appears to be a mountain of evidence. He intends to run again for re-election next year.

Some Democrats have called for his resignation. But he still might enjoy support for his campaign, despite a possible conviction. Because on the very day he was indicted, he was caught doing this.

From Fox News:
A top Democrat committee accepted thousands of dollars from New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s PAC on the same day federal investigators revealed his bribery charges to the public…

Menendez’s New Millennium PAC wired a $15,000 contribution to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (DSCC) recount account, filings show. The DSCC is the primary group that works to elect and sustain Democrats in Congress’ upper chamber.

On the day federal agents charged Bob Menendez with these crimes, he donated $15,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. This group is responsible for helping Democrats get elected to the Senate.

According to Menendez’s claims, he made this contribution before the charges were unsealed. But it is possible he knew about the pending indictment–and made this contribution because of it.

Was this donation part of a plot to secure the DSCC’s help? Menendez is still running for Senate, despite these charges. Does the embattled Democrat expect his party to help him get re-elected, even while facing prison time?

Some might wonder where this money came from. If the DSCC accepted money Menendez received through bribes, the group might be in trouble as well.

It remains to be seen what the DSCC will do with this money. If Democrats truly believe Menendez is guilty and should step down, they would undoubtedly refund this donation. Should Menendez be convicted of these charges, the federal government might require the DSCC to do just that.

But are investigators looking into the DSCC’s finances now? We don’t know. But it is possible critics of the party will demand an investigation.

Key Takeaways:

• Indicted Sen. Menendez donated $15,000 to Democrats on the day of his indictment.
• Menendez gave the money to the DSCC, a group that helps Democrats win seats in the Senate.
• Menendez has been charged with receiving bribery money from the Egyptian government.

Source: Fox News