New Jersey – -(Ammoland.com)- In light of Democrat Senator – and major Hillary Clinton supporter – Bob Menendez’s looming indictment on federal corruption charges, it is important to remember the corrupt bargain they helped bring about to change State Department policy in exchange for hefty campaign contributions, a matter that was referred to the FBI.
As the New York Times pointed out in its exposé on the deal, it “could prove awkward for Mrs. Clinton, who was in charge of the State Department at the time, high-ranking officials overruled the agency’s ban on Ms. Isaías for immigration fraud, and whose office made calls on the matter.”
See the RNC blog post below on Clinton’s deep ties to Menendez: Clinton And Menendez’s Deep Ties
The Justice Dept. Is Preparing Criminal Corruption Charges Against Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez For Alleging Using His Office “To Push The Business Interests Of A Democratic Donor And Friend In Exchange For Gifts.” “The Justice Department is preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat, alleging he used his Senate office to push the business interests of a Democratic donor and friend in exchange for gifts.” (Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz, “First On CNN: Feds Prepare Criminal Corruption Charges Against Senator Bob Menendez,” CNN, 3/6/15)
“The Government’s Case Centers On Menendez’s Relationship With Salomon Melgen, A Florida Ophthalmologist Who The Senator Has Called A Friend And Political Supporter.” (Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz, “First On CNN: Feds Prepare Criminal Corruption Charges Against Senator Bob Menendez,” CNN, 3/6/15)
- “Melgen And His Family Have Been Generous Donors To The Senator And Various Committees The Senator Is Associated With.” (Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz, “First On CNN: Feds Prepare Criminal Corruption Charges Against Senator Bob Menendez,” CNN, 3/6/15)
CLINTON AND MENENDEZ HAVE A MUTUAL BENEFICIAL HISTORY
At The Request Of Menendez, Clinton Worked To Grant Favors To Family Members Of Wealthy Political Donors
The Obama Administration Overturned A Ban To Allow “A Wealthy, Politically Connected Ecuadorean Woman” Estefanía Isaías, To Enter The United States “After Her Family Gave Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars To Democratic Campaigns.” “The Obama administration overturned a ban preventing a wealthy, politically connected Ecuadorean woman from entering the United States after her family gave tens of thousands of dollars to Democratic campaigns, according to finance records and government officials.” (Frances Robles, “Ecuador Family Wins Favors After Donations to Democrats,” The New York Times, 12/16/14)
- “But The Ban Was Lifted At The Request Of The State Department Under Former Secretary Of State Hillary Rodham Clinton So That Ms. Isaías Could Work For An Obama Fund-Raiser With Close Ties To The Administration.” (Frances Robles, “Ecuador Family Wins Favors After Donations to Democrats,” The New York Times, 12/16/14)
After Receiving Contributions From The Isaías Family, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) And His Staff “Made Calls, Sent Emails And Wrote Letters” To Clinton And Her Chief Of Staff, Cheryl Mills. “Over the course of the next year, as various members of the Isaías family donated to Mr. Menendez’s re-election campaign, the senator and his staff repeatedly made calls, sent emails and wrote letters about Ms. Isaías’s case to Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Mills, the consulate in Ecuador, and the departments of State and Homeland Security.” (Frances Robles, “Ecuador Family Wins Favors After Donations to Democrats,” The New York Times, 12/16/14)
- Isaías Was Barred From Entering The United States “After Being Caught Fraudulently Obtaining Visas For Her Maids.” “The woman, Estefanía Isaías, had been barred from coming to the United States after being caught fraudulently obtaining visas for her maids.” (Frances Robles, “Ecuador Family Wins Favors After Donations to Democrats,” The New York Times, 12/16/14)
Alfredo Balsera, Whose Firm Sponsored Isaías’s Visa, Is A Prominent Clinton Supporter. “Alfredo J. Balsera, the Obama fund-raiser whose firm, Balsera Communications, sponsored Ms. Isaías’s visa, was featured recently in USA Today as a prominent Latino fund-raiser backing Mrs. Clinton for president in 2016.” (Frances Robles, “Ecuador Family Wins Favors After Donations to Democrats,” The New York Times, 12/16/14)
- Balsera Recently Praised Clinton And Is An Early Supporter Of Her Candidacy. “‘I don’t think there’s another Obama in this election cycle who will come from nowhere to challenge Hillary,’ said Freddy Balsera, a Miami-area media strategist and Obama bundler who already has contributed $5,000 to a super PAC encouraging Clinton to make a second bid for the presidency. ‘I can’t imagine another Democrat competing financially or with voters as effectively as she can.’” (Fredreka Schouten, “Some Latino Fundraisers Throw Support To Clinton,” USA Today, 12/3/14)
The Case “Could Prove Awkward For Mrs. Clinton, Who Was In Charge Of The State Department At The Time High-Ranking Officials Overruled The Agency’s Ban On Ms. Isaías For Immigration Fraud, And Whose Office Made Calls On The Matter.” “But the case involving Estefanía could prove awkward for Mrs. Clinton, who was in charge of the State Department at the time high-ranking officials overruled the agency’s ban on Ms. Isaías for immigration fraud, and whose office made calls on the matter.” (Frances Robles, “Ecuador Family Wins Favors After Donations to Democrats,” The New York Times, 12/16/14)
In 2007, Menendez Endorsed Clinton’s First Presidential Run
Menendez, 2007: Clinton “Is Clearly The Right Leader, Ready To Chart A New Course For America.” “‘Senator Hillary Clinton is uniquely prepared and unquestionably ready to lead this country and inspire each of us to be our best,’ Menendez said. ‘Senator Clinton stands out for the richness of her experience, the depth of her intelligence and the strength of her ideals. She is clearly the right leader, ready to chart a new course for America.’” (Press Release, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez Endorses Clinton For President, 6/12/07)
- Clinton: “I’m Honored To Have His Support, And I Look Forward To Continuing Our Work…” “The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and named him a national Co-Chair of Clinton’s campaign. … ‘Bob and I have worked side-by-side to help those affected by 9/11 and ensure that we take steps to make America more secure,’ Clinton said. ‘I’m honored to have his support, and I look forward to continuing our work on expanding healthcare access and ensuring retirement security for all Americans.’” (Press Release, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez Endorses Clinton For President, 6/12/07)