Menendez Emails Sought to Help Donor’s Firm

Emails between Sen. Robert Menendez's office and the Homeland Security Department describe efforts by the New Jersey Democrat in January to thwart any U.S. donations of cargo-screening equipment to the government of the Dominican Republic. Donated equipment could have jeopardized a Dominican port security contract benefiting a close Menendez associate and fundraiser.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The emails came six months after Menendez raised concerns about the Dominican government's port security in a Senate hearing with senior officials from the State and Commerce departments. In the hearing and emails, Menendez and his staff did not name the private firm. But a company run by Dr. Salomon Melgen, Menendez's biggest donor, has pushed to secure a lucrative port security contract with the Dominican government.

The emails were disclosed Monday by the New York Times.

Filed Under: NJ, political, Robert Menendez Allegations

Categories: New Jersey News