Judge Denies Menendez’s Bid to Dismiss Bribery Charges on Immunity Grounds

A federal judge on Thursday denied Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-N.J.) motion to dismiss four conspiracy charges in his bribery case on grounds of legislative immunity. Mr. Menendez had requested for the dismissal of charges relating to his recommendation to the president of a candidate for U.S. attorney of New Jersey, as well as his meetings and actions concerning foreign aid to Egypt, including his alleged disclosure of sensitive non-public information to Egyptian officials. He said the charges should be dropped on grounds of the U.S. Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause—which protects members of Congress from prosecution for their speech—and the separation of powers....