Senator Menendez Plans to Give Away Money From Disgraced Donor
Sen. Robert Menendez's campaign office says it will give away almost $20,000 he received from a northern New Jersey insurance company owner who pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributions.
Joseph Bigica pleaded guilty in federal court in Newark on Wednesday.
The 46-year-old Franklin Lakes resident admitted recruiting straw donors, including family members, to make $98,000 in illegal contributions to a federal candidate.
The candidate was not identified in court, but election disclosure forms show that Bigica and his relatives donated about $30,000 to Menendez between 1998 and 2009.
A Menendez spokesman says the senator will donate about $19,000 received in the current election cycle to two charities.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)