Platkin launches investigation of Menendez attempt to influence AG probe

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said his office has cooperated with the Southern District of New York’s investigation of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and announced that he’s opened an independent internal probe of Menendez’s dealings with the Attorney General’s office prior to his taking the post.

“As the now unsealed indictment makes clear, there are allegations that Menendez attempted to pressure a senior member of this office under a prior administration,” Platkin said.

Platkin did not identify the official, but the New Jersey Globe has learned that it was former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, now the director of the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In Menendez’s indictment, federal prosecutors alleged that the senior U.S. Senator sought to intervene on behalf of Jose Uribe, a North Jersey businessman and friend who was facing state criminal charges.

Uribe, who allegedly purchased a $60,000 Mercedes convertible for the senator’s wife, Nadine, was charged today with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

Platkin called the allegations against Menendez “deeply disturbing.”

“Any individual who uses their public office to enrich themselves rather than selflessly serve the public does so at great cost to the public and to all public servants,” he said.  “Public corruption at any level will not be tolerated by me or my office.”

State Sen. Michael Testa, Jr.  (R-Vineland) has asked the Senate to approve subpoena power for the Judiciary Committee to launch its own investigation into the handling of the matter by the attorney general’s office.

“When you have allegations of elected officials pressuring our State attorney general’s office to influence the outcome of a prosecution, the State must demand answers.  We cannot ignore the alleged corruption and influence peddling that occurred within our State offices,” said Testa.  “The Legislature must return to Trenton immediately and give the Senate Judiciary Committee the power and resources to demand answers from the attorney general’s office regarding this serious and egregious matter.”