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Judge Declares Mistrial In Bribery Case Against U.S. Senator Bob Menendez

Senator Bob Menendez
NBC News

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.

Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998 and has taken his department to new heights in coverage and recognition. Doug and his staff have received more than 250 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.