'Lock the crook up': Internet skewers Bob Menendez after witness testimonies shed light into disgraced Senator's shady dealings

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NEW JERSEY: A witness in the federal corruption trial testified this week claiming that Sen Bob Menendez's (D-NJ) alleged co-conspirator in a multi-year extortion and bribery scheme gave his lawyer instructions to initiate a mortgage loan for the New Jersey Democrat's then-girlfriend and to draft a job contract for her, despite her lack of experience.

In a New York courthouse, federal prosecutors have begun presenting their case against Menendez and his two co-defendants, per CNN.

As of Tuesday, they had called six witnesses: an FBI special agent, a US diplomat, a former State Department employee, the lead counsel for Wael Hana's halal certification company, and the executive assistants of Hana and Fred Daibes. The executive assistants reported receiving subpoenas.

What did the witnesses say in court in this highly-publicized federal corruption case?

Several witnesses have testified about a conspiracy in the halal industry, alleging that Menendez and Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman, acted as foreign agents for the Egyptian government.

These allegations are part of a complex case involving several charges, including connections to the Qatari government, gold bars, cash confiscated from the senator's residence, and accusations that he and his girlfriend-turned-wife accepted bribes in exchange for the senator's influence.

Menendez, Hana, and the other co-defendant, New Jersey real estate mogul Fred Daibes, have all pled not guilty.

In July, the trial of Menendez's spouse, Nadine, who has also pleaded not guilty, will commence.

John Moldovan, the chief attorney for Hana's certification business, EG Halal, stated that Hana instructed him to transfer a loan to Nadine Menendez to settle the outstanding debt on her home, which was at risk of foreclosure.

In July 2019, Hana transferred money from IS EG's account to Moldovan's personal account and directed him to issue checks to Nadine Menendez, according to Moldovan's testimony.

Hana also requested that he create a promissory note so that Nadine Menendez could receive approximately $22,000 to $23,000, with a five-year term to repay the full amount, Moldovan testified.

Moldovan also testified that Nadine Menendez was "upset and offended" by the fact that Hana had a lawyer formalize the loan with a promissory note. Although she never signed the agreement, he testified that she did receive the checks.

Shortly thereafter, Moldovan testified that Hana informed him of his intention to offer Nadine Menendez a consulting position at IS EG Halal and instructed Moldovan to draft the job contract, which included a monthly salary of $10,000. Moldovan further testified that he rarely took any action without Hana's approval.

Moldovan stated that he prepared a contract between IS EG Halal and Strategic International Business Consultants LLC, whose president was Nadine Menendez, despite not being familiar with the company.

Moldovan stated that he never observed Nadine Menendez working or preparing any documents, nor had he heard any discussions about her job performance for the company or any other companies.

According to Moldovan, Nadine Menendez never signed the job agreement with IS EG. However, he also noted uncertainty regarding whether she was paid, despite prosecutors referencing three $10,000 checks.

During cross-examination, the senator's attorney, Avi Weitzman, asked Moldovan if Nadine Menendez ever indicated that she was in a relationship with the senator, to which he testified that she did not. However, Moldovan noted that the two later got married.

Trial proceedings are currently paused until after Memorial Day, at which time Daibes' executive assistant is expected to resume testifying.

Internet slams Bob Menendez after witness testimonies shed light into the Senator's shady dealings

People online have criticized the New Jersey Democrat after witnesses testified in the ongoing federal corruption trial in New York.

One person commented, "Why this guy is still being allowed to work in Congress makes no sense."

Another person wrote, "As the old saying goes - America has the best government that money can buy! Lock them up find more to join them."

Another person remarked, "Unfortunately just another boil on the backside of American politics, and when this one pops, it’s going to be orange jumpsuits for this couple who sold themselves out to a foreign power. Disgraceful."

One person said, "Lock the crook up."

Another person claimed, "Corrupt politicians new go to ('I don't recall' is passe')-- is 'my wife did it' and Im too stupid to have noticed. Menedez thinks he is smarter than everyone on the planet, I hope the courts pop that corrupt ego bubble." [sic]

One more person asserted, "Finally, they caught a crooked politician in D.C. They seem like a needle in a haystack. It would be easier to just put bars on Capitol Hill and the White House ,They are all guilty of one crime or another." [sic]

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.