NEWARK — The 11-week trial of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez ended when Judge William Walls declared the mistrial after the jury said they could not come to a verdict.
Prosecutors have not yet said whether they would re-file charges that were the result of a five-year investigation.
Menendez was charged with conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud in his duties as U.S. Senator, and for accepting more than $600,000 in political contributions and gifts from a long time friend Dr. Salomon Melgen. Prosecutors attempted to prove Menendez took these things in exchange for political favors to Melgen, who was convicted of unrelated charges earlier this year.
This decision by the court to declare a mistrial also came after a juror was excused and told the press about some of the discussions going on in the jury room.
Menendez grew up in Union City and served as its mayor before going to Congress.
