Bob Menendez has lost his bid to dismiss the charges in his federal corruption case, ending the three-term U.S. Senator’s hope that he can avoid a trial set to begin in May.
U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein said in his decision today that none of the four counts in the indictment should be dismissed, saying the charges against him did not violate any constitutional protections granted to Members of Congress.
Menendez’s legal time had argued that the Justice Department was criminalizing the day-to-day job responsibilities of a U.S. Senator.
Stein wrote that “none of the allegations at issue … are protected by the Speech or Debate Clause.”
An appeal of Stein’s decision could delay the start of the trial.
Menendez’s wife., Nadine, and co-defendants Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, also sought a dismissal of the charges. A former co-defendant, Jose Urine, recently changed his plea to guilty, admitting that he conspired to bribe Menendez.
NBC News reported today that Menendez is considering a re-election bid as an independent.