Corruption: Sen. Menendez Worked To Influence, Pressure NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal

India-West News Desk

CAMDEN, NJ – Former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has been identified as “Official-2” in the indictment involving Senator Bob Menendez. This revelation strongly suggests that Grewal may serve as a government witness in the case against the senator.

Federal prosecutors allege that in January 2019, Menendez reached out to Grewal in an apparent effort to influence the prosecution of Jose Uribe, a businessman. This influence was purportedly sought in exchange for the purchase of a $60,000 Mercedes convertible for Menendez’s wife, Nadine, the New Jersey Globe reported.

The indictment outlines that Menendez specifically contacted a senior state prosecutor within the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office who oversaw the case of the New Jersey Defendant and the investigation related to “Official-2.” Menendez aimed to exert pressure and provide advice to encourage Grewal to resolve these matters favorably for the New Jersey Defendant and the subject of investigation in New Jersey.

However, the indictment reveals that Official-2 (Grewal) deemed Menendez’s actions inappropriate and did not agree to intervene. In an effort to prevent any improper influence in the case, Grewal did not disclose Menendez’s contact to the prosecution team and refrained from intervening.

Ultimately, Uribe entered a guilty plea to the charges brought forth by the state, following a plea agreement facilitated by the attorney general’s office that recommended no jail time.

The indictment also details Menendez’s communication with Nadine Menendez and Wael Hanna, a North Jersey businessman. Hanna, who allegedly secured an exclusive contract from the Egyptian government for inspecting Halal meat with Menendez’s assistance, sent text messages to Nadine Menendez with information about Uribe’s prosecution after dining with the senator and his wife.

Menendez subsequently requested and received text messages from his wife regarding Uribe. In July 2019, when a New Jersey detective sought to interview a potential witness linked to Uribe, Menendez agreed to make a second attempt to influence Grewal. Uribe then met with Nadine Menendez and urged her to prevent any interference in the investigation. On September 6, 2019, Menendez met with Grewal at his Newark Senate office and exerted pressure in an attempt to influence the investigation favorably.

Grewal departed from the attorney general’s office in 2021 to assume the role of Director of the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and did not respond to a text message seeking comment.