Democrats Behaving Badly

p0rtia · #126

Tx, Kendra.

I am fond enough of his daughter, Alicia, to feel sorry for her. It's gotta be no fun to be the daughter of that.

Kendra · #127

Alicia was a rock star sitting in for Nicolle Wallace. Difficult spot for her to be in, and IIRC she will not cover it on her show(s). I believe the current wife is not her mother, wasn't she a former aide or something?

#128

Kendra wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:00 pm Alicia was a rock star sitting in for Nicolle Wallace. Difficult spot for her to be in, and IIRC she will not cover it on her show(s). I believe the current wife is not her mother, wasn't she a former aide or something?

Wikipedia says they met at IHOP

But yeah, she is his second or third wife, there is some question, but definitely not the first wife who was divorced in 2005 and is Alicia and Rob's mother.

#129

Dunno about the veracity, but NYC Mayor Eric Adams is being sued for sexual assault.
https://eddsa.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.n ... AINT_4.pdf

This action is brought by Plaintiff under the Adult Survivors Act, CPLR 214-j, as a
result of sexual assault perpetrated by the current Mayor of the City of New York, Eric Adams
(“Defendant Adams”). Defendant Adams claimed he would assist Plaintiff with an employment
issue, only instead to drive her to a vacant lot and request oral sex from her. When she refused,
Defendant Adams forcibly pushed Plaintiff’s hand onto his erect penis, and then, after she removed
her hand, masturbated himself to completion and ejaculated on her.

Kendra · #130

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics ... ba2b6&ei=7

Indicted Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) announced Thursday he will not file to run for reelection in the Democratic primary but said he hopes to still seek another term as an independent later this year.

“I will not file for the Democratic primary this June," Menendez said in a video posted to social media. "I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in a general election.”

Menendez’s announcement complicates a race that already includes two prominent New Jersey Democrats, first lady Tammy Murphy and Rep. Andy Kim.

Menendez, who is fighting federal corruption charges, faced a Monday deadline to decide whether to run in his party’s primary. The filing deadline for independent candidates is not until June.
Menendez and his wife were charged last year with taking bribes from three business executives, including gold bars, in exchange for legislative favors. He has pleaded not guilty to the initial indictment, as well as to additional charges since then, including obstruction of justice.

Last week, a judge rejected Menendez’s claim of legislative immunity against some of the charges. A trial is scheduled to start May 6.

#131

He's done.

#132

Eric Adams’ legal defense fund drops longtime ally after crude comments
Bo Dietl, the notoriously foul-mouthed head of an eponymous security and private investigation firm, was a contractor connected to the trust.

One of Mayor Eric Adams’ fundraising entities on Wednesday fired the security and private investigative firm run by longtime friend and donor Bo Dietl shortly after Dietl berated a POLITICO reporter.

Dietl’s company was hired to vet donors to Adams’ legal defense trust — a fundraising entity to help pay legal bills connected to a federal probe into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign. In January, the organization paid Dietl’s firm just under $13,000 — an expense first reported by the Daily News, whose reporter Dietl reportedly cursed at this week.

When asked for comment Wednesday afternoon about the services he was paid to perform for the trust, Dietl told a POLITICO reporter: “Why don’t you do me a favor. Go suck somebody’s dick, because I don’t want to talk to you, okay? You like to suck dick? Go suck dick somewhere.” He then hung up the phone.

Less than two hours after being informed of Dietl’s remarks, the trust’s counsel, Vito Pitta, condemned Dietl and told POLITICO he would be let go.

“The mayor believes that that language is unacceptable, and that no person should talk to another person in such a disrespectful way,” Pitta said in a statement.

The Democratic New York mayor almost never publicly admonishes or fires problematic aides, particularly ones with whom he has a long history, like Dietl — a fellow New York Police Department alum.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/1 ... d-00152930

RTH10260 · #133

State Sen. Nicole Mitchell responds after being charged with burglarizing stepmom’s home

Krystal Frasier KSTP
Updated: April 24, 2024 - 5:37 AM Published: April 23, 2024 - 4:24 PM

Court documents filed Tuesday morning are shedding more light on the arrest of Minnesota Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) on Monday, and a Senate Republican leader is now considering calling for her immediate resignation.

As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Detroit Lakes police arrested Mitchell after being called to the 700 block of Granger Road at around 4:45 a.m. about a burglary happening in her home. When authorities responded and searched the home, they found Mitchell inside and arrested her.

Mitchell appeared in court late Tuesday morning, where a judge ordered she can be released without posting bail as long as she abides by conditions such as making future court appearances, remain law abiding, don’t leave the state with the exception of Cass County in North Dakota and traveling for official duties, among other conditions. An alternate, unconditional bail was set at $40,000.

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/cha ... ds-things/

looks like a family matter gone astray

“Like so many families, mine is dealing with the pain of watching a loved one decline due to Alzheimer’s and associated paranoia.

“Over the weekend, I learned of medical information which caused me grave concern and prompted me to check on that family member. I entered a home I have come and gone from countless times in the past 20 years, where my son even once had his own room.

“Unfortunately, I startled this close relative, exacerbating paranoia, and I was accused of stealing, which I absolutely deny.”

Mitchell went on to thank her friends and colleagues for their support. She stated she hopes that the incident can return to being a “private matter.”

Sam the Centipede · #134

My first thought was "Odd that it was at 4:45 a.m., not a usual time for checking on family, but there could be innocent reasons."

But the linked article has:

According to a criminal complaint – which is linked at the bottom of this article – a woman called police reporting a suspect, later identified as Mitchell, ran into her basement.

When police arrived, officers searched the basement and found Mitchell dressed entirely in black clothing and a black hat.

While being detained, the complaint says Mitchell told the victim that she was trying to get a couple of things belonging to her dad, who recently died, because the woman wouldn’t talk to Mitchell anymore.

Throws my "there could be innocent reasons" conjecture into the bin!

#135

Yeah, I've thought about posting about that arrest. Totally stupid on her part. Anyway, from today's Minneapolis StarTribune -

Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint against Mitchell Wednesday, arguing that she violated chamber rules that require members to "adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct." GOP lawmakers accused Mitchell of posting false or misleading claims when she published her Facebook post and violating chamber rules. They contrasted the social media explanation with the statements Mitchell gave police when she was arrested.

Senate rules require the ethics subcommittee to act on a complaint within 30 days, which means the Legislature could take it up after lawmakers adjourn on May 20.

Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Senate, which means they need Mitchell's vote to pass legislation without bipartisan support. She has appeared remotely since her arrest.

Republicans have accused Senate Democrats of holding up the process to protect their majority and have demanded Mitchell resign in the meantime. The senator's attorney said he's advised Mitchell against resigning and said he doubts Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy will ask her to.

Gov. Tim Walz told MPR he's reserving judgment pending additional information.

#136

FLASH: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) & his wife have been indicted

Justice Dept alleges they accepted at least $598,000 in bribes from two foreign entities:

1) oil & gas company wholly owned & controlled by Government of Azerbaijan

2) a bank headquartered in Mexico City"

#137

Press Release re indictment -

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and His Wife Charged with Bribery, Unlawful Foreign Influence, and Money Laundering Schemes

Congressman Allegedly Accepted $600,000 in Bribes from Two Foreign Entities in Exchange for Official Acts as a Member of Congress

An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas charging U.S. Congressman Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar, 68, and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, both of Laredo, Texas, with participating in two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering. Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar made their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.

According to court documents, beginning in at least December 2014 and continuing through at least November 2021, Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar allegedly accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: an oil and gas company wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Azerbaijan, and a bank headquartered in Mexico City. The bribe payments were allegedly laundered, pursuant to sham consulting contracts, through a series of front companies and middlemen into shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, who performed little to no legitimate work under the contracts. In exchange for the bribes paid by the Azerbaijani oil and gas company, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan. In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank.

Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar are each charged with the following offenses and if convicted, face maximum penalties as indicated: two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official and to have a public official act as an agent of a foreign principal, five years in prison on each count; two counts of bribery of a federal official, 15 years in prison on each count; two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, 20 years in prison on each count; two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal, two years in prison on each count; one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, 20 years in prison; and five counts of money laundering, 20 years in prison on each count.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Deputy Assistant Inspector General Jason Loeffler and Special Agent in Charge Chris Hileman of the Department of State Office of Inspector General (DOS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI and DOS-OIG investigated the case.

Acting Deputy Chief Marco A. Palmieri, Acting Deputy Chief Rosaleen O’Gara, and Trial Attorney Celia Choy of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

#138

Ugh. He's served since 2005.

#139

Link to the indictment - https://www.documentcloud.org/documents ... -file-copy

Rolodex · #140

Menendez jury selection finished and opening statements are this afternoon. Inner City Press guy Matthew is covering. Here's a funny tweet from his thread.

Kendra · #141

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/15/politics ... index.html

I'm seeing some reports that he might be tossing his wife under the bus.

Kendra · #142

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/16/politics ... index.html

The most striking notes from the opening statements by the defendants’ lawyers concerned Nadine Menendez and her role in the alleged crimes of her husband, Hana and Daibes.

While Pomerantz, the prosecutor, described Nadine Menendez mostly as a conduit for the passage of bribes between the men, the senator’s lawyer suggested she was a driving, deceitful figure. He told the story of a younger woman, who was “beautiful,” “tall” and cosmopolitan. Nadine Menendez, Weitzman said, “had financial concerns she kept” from her husband and engaged in cash and gold exchanges of which he was not made aware.

Menendez defense lawyer denies bribery scheme and says gold bars found at senator’s home belonged to his wife
“She kept things from him,” Weitzman told the jury. “She kept him in the dark.”

Weitzman brought a series of visual aids to underscore his point.

One image from the couple’s home showed Nadine Menendez’s “locked closet,” a rambling walk-in with messy racks and clothes strewn on the floor, where the now infamous gold bars were found. The senator, Weitzman said, “did not know of the gold bars that existed in that closet.” Later on, Weitzman showed another photo, this time of the senator’s closet – a smaller space with neatly hung suit jackets and shirts. Nothing of interest, he stressed to the jury, had been found there.

Rolodex · #143

I know another trial has been going on elsewhere in Manhattan, but this one is pretty juicy. Go back and read the live thread from @innercitypress - it's been pretty spicy! (Menendez underbussing his wife - must be something they teach in DC. See: Thomas, Alito)

It's supposed to start back up at 1:00 EDT.

RTH10260 · #144

New Jersey AG charges Democratic power broker George Norcross in bombshell indictment
He has long been the subject of scrutiny by law enforcement and a political task force, but has never been charged.

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI and DANIEL HAN
06/17/2024 12:41 PM EDT Updated: 06/17/2024 03:30 PM EDT

TRENTON, New Jersey — New Jersey’s attorney general on Monday charged one of the state’s most powerful Democrats and his allies in a sweeping indictment alleging a long-running corruption scheme.

The charges against George Norcross represent another seismic event in New Jersey politics in a year that’s already seen a drastic disruption of its notorious boss systems. And George Norcross is often held up as the symbol of a New Jersey political boss. He has long been the subject of scrutiny by law enforcement and a political task force, but has never been charged.

The indictment, brought by Attorney General Matt Platkin, portrays years of extortion and threats. Norcross has run a criminal enterprise for at least the past 12 years, Platkin said, causing hurt to businesses, individuals and “especially — especially — to the city of Camden,” one of the state’s poorest cities.

“The Norcross enterprise manipulated government programs and processes designed to attract development and investment to instead suit their own financial desires,” Platkin said at a press conference. “Instead of contributing to the successes of the city of Camden, through a series of criminal acts alleged in the state’s case, the Norcross enterprise took the Camden waterfront all for themselves.”

The South Jersey power broker personally attended the press conference — uninvited — and sat in the front row closest to the podium, staring at Platkin as he announced the 13-count indictment on racketeering and other charges. His team of attorneys objected when a staffer for the attorney general’s office asked him to sit somewhere else and objected to attorneys not being able to ask questions during the press conference.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/1 ... n-00163700

#145

That Joe Biden dude strikes again!

RTH10260 · #146

Bob Menendez Gets Boost at Bribery Trial From a Prosecutor

David Voreacos
Tue 18 June 2024 at 11:25 pm GMT+2

(Bloomberg) -- The top federal prosecutor in New Jersey appeared to help Senator Bob Menendez at his bribery trial Tuesday by telling jurors that the Democratic lawmaker never pressured him to do anything improper.

US Attorney Philip Sellinger testified at the trial of Menendez, 70, who’s accused of taking bribes of gold bars, cash and a Mercedes Benz from businessmen seeking favors, including developer Fred Daibes.

Prosecutors say Menendez tried to influence the outcome of a separate fraud indictment in New Jersey of Daibes. Last week, Sellinger told jurors about seeking Menendez’s endorsement for the US attorney’s post. He said the lawmaker said Daibes “was being treated unfairly, and Senator Menendez hoped that if I became U.S. Attorney that I would look at it carefully.”

But on cross-examination Tuesday, Sellinger said Menendez never pressured him or used aggressive language when they spoke in December 2020.

“I did not believe that he was asking me to do anything other than my official duty,” Sellinger told New York federal jurors. “I didn’t believe he was asking me to do anything.”

Menendez attorney Avi Weitzman said: “It’s fair to say that he didn’t ask you to put your thumb on the scales of justice?” Sellinger agreed.

Prosecutors are seeking to prove that Menendez and Daibes entered into an illegal agreement, and that the senator recommended Sellinger, an old friend and fundraiser, for the prosecutor’s post because he believed he could influence him in the Daibes case.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/bob-menendez- ... 39204.html
(original: Bloomberg)

ps. as reported in December 2023 some of Menendez' gold bars were out of a robbery in 2013
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/gold-bars-fou ... 03749.html

Kendra · #147

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/cl ... ngNewsSerp

Closing arguments are due to wrap up in the high-profile corruption trial of Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, as lawyers for the congressman continue to claim that prosecutors have not proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr Menendez, 70, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted brides, including gold bars, in exchange for helping foreign governments.

His lawyers began closing arguments in the case on Tuesday. They are set to finish on Wednesday before jurors are sent off to reach a verdict.

“Prosecutors have not come close to meeting their burden to show you that any of the gold or cash was given to Senator Menendez as a bribe,” Mr Menendez's lawyer told the Manhattan court on Tuesday.
“This is a case with a lot of inferences," Adam Fee added.

Closing arguments come after eight weeks of trial, with Mr Menendez facing 18 charges.

Dr. Ken · #148

Guilty on all counts

Kendra · #149

Wow. All that throwing the wife under the bus and it didn't help much. Will he have to resign his Senate seat?

Dr. Ken · #150

Kendra wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 2:09 pm Wow. All that throwing the wife under the bus and it didn't help much. Will he have to resign his Senate seat?

He's probably going to make his wife resign