Mistrial In Menendez Corruption Case

A mistrial was ruled Thursday in the federal trial against U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who was charged with bribery and corruption.

The senator's defense attorney informed reporters of the decision on Thursday afternoon. Menendez reportedly emerged from the judge's chambers and wrapped his children in a big hug. Supporters of the defendant were hugging and tearing up (see live feed below).

During a press conference, a tearful Menendez thanked his family and said his defense team "tore apart" the federal government's case against him, He said the jury used their "Jersey common sense to reject it."

"The way this case was started was wrong. The way this was case was investigated was wrong. The way this case was prosecuted was wrong. The way this case was tried was wrong," he said.

"I've made my share of mistakes," he added. "But my mistakes were never a crime."

Menendez also issued a warning to those who believed the trial would bring an end to his political career.

"To those of you who were digging my political grave, I know who you are and I will never forget it," he said.

"Today is resurrection day."

Kirk Ogrosky, an attorney for Melgen, said each juror was asked if they were deadlocked "and they answered in the affirmative." He also said he didn't expected a new trial.

The mistrial was declared after a deadlocked jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict after eight days of deliberations. In recent days, the judge in the case urged the jury to keep trying to reach a verdict, but the decision never materialized.

Federal prosecutors said Menendez conspired with Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist, in an alleged bribery and corruption scandal that involved gifts and campaign contributions (see charges below).

Menendez, a veteran Democrat lawmaker from New Jersey once dubbed the "Boss of Hudson County,” was facing corruption charges for allegedly offering a friend political favors in exchange for lavish gifts and campaign contributions.

Political pundits have offered mixed opinions about which way the jury has been leaning since the trial started on Sept. 6. On Thursday afternoon, the jury reported that they were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict.

• See related article: Sen. Menendez Corruption Trial (What We Know So Far)

A “contamination” controversy started last week when U.S. District Judge William Walls dismissed a Hillside woman and juror on the case so that she could take a previously arranged vacation to the Bahamas, a condition agreed to at the onset of the trial.

After her dismissal, the woman opined that “they’re trying to throw a good man under the bus,” and said that the other jurors are divided about whether Menendez was guilty. She said that the jury was fiercely divided about Menendez's possible culpability, and said that some jurors told her that her vote “didn’t count” because she was likely going on vacation.

Four jurors and three alternates still serving on Menendez’s case said that they saw the resulting news coverage about her statements. The senator’s attorneys said that, if true, it may constitute jury misconduct.

Walls disagreed, stating that the things jurors saw in the media are most likely the same as what they’d already heard in the courtroom. He instructed the remaining jurors to disregard last week’s deliberations. “You are now a new jury,” Walls said in a Record report. “You’re starting afresh.”

THE CHARGES

Menendez's trial represents a rare event in recent U.S. history: a sitting senator facing felony charges.

Menendez, identified as a Paramus resident in a Department of Justice statement, was indicted in April 2015 on charges of conspiracy, violating the travel act, bribery, honest services fraud and making false statements.

According to prosecutors, Menendez allegedly conspired with Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist, to use the power of his senate office to influence the outcome of ongoing contractual and Medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions of dollars to Melgen. In addition, Menendez allegedly supported the visa applications of several of Melgen's girlfriends.

In exchange, Menendez received almost $1 million worth of lavish gifts and campaign contributions, prosecutors stated.

• See related article: Menendez Indicted On Corruption Charges
• See related article: Senator's Alleged Wrongdoings Run Gamut of Illegal Activity

The list of alleged gifts includes flights on Melgen's private jet, numerous vacations at Melgen's Caribbean villa in the Dominican Republic and a hotel room in Paris, $40,000 in contributions to his legal defense fund and more than $750,000 in campaign contributions.

Menendez never disclosed any of the reportable gifts that he received from Melgen on his legally required financial disclosure forms, prosecutors stated.

In April, a federal jury in South Florida convicted Melgen of 67 criminal counts of fraud in a separate case that also involved Medicare.

Following his indictment in 2015, Menendez proclaimed that he was "angry, ready to fight and not going anywhere."

Menendez's legal team has asserted that Melgen's generosity was simply his way of sharing his wealth with a close friend.

"The Justice Department doesn't know the difference between corruption and friendship," Menendez said. "I will be vindicated."

• See related article: Most Democrats Think Sen. Menendez Should Resign If Convicted (Poll)\

Here is live coverage of the scene at the courthouse:

Watch Now: Mistrial In Menendez Corruption Case

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