New Jersey U-S Senator Bob Menendez is walking away a free man after the federal corruption case against him ended in a mistrial. it came after the jury in Newark deadlocked on a verdict.
For the second time this week the jury told the judge they could not come to a unanimous decision on the corruption charges facing Senator Menendez and a co-defendant. That’s when the judge declared a mistrial, saying it would be futile to go any longer.
Outside court, Senator Menendez, a high-ranking Democrat, celebrated the verdict and blasted the prosecutors as well as his political enemies.
Menendez and Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen maintained their innocence from the start, claiming they never exchanged gifts for government favors.
In a statement, the Justice Department thanked the jurors.
Senator Menendez’s excitement may be short-lived. Justice Department officials said they would review the case to decide whether to put him on trial again, and Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell called for a Senate ethics probe based on the charges in the case.
Click above to hear Senator Menendez's comments.