U.S. Senator Menendez Indicted on Corruption

Robert Menendez responds to corruption charges
Forensic Statement Analysis by Laurie Ayers
Posted April 2015

On 1 April 2015 New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez was indicted by a Grand Jury on federal corruption charges. Charges he has denied. The 14 counts against him include conspiracy, violating the Travel Act, bribery and fraud. He’s also charged with making false statements. It’s alleged Senator Menendez accepted close to a million dollars in lavish gifts and campaign contributions in exchange for using the power of his office to influence the outcome Medicare billing disputes that represented tens of millions of dollars to a Florida eye doctor named Salomon Melgen who Menendez said is a friend.

Below is the statement he made in Newark, NJ made after learning of his indictment. This was not a press conference, so there were no questions asked. You will see my content validity, forensic statement analysis in bold purple font.

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For.. for nearly three years I’ve lived ah under a Justice Department cloud. And today I’m outraged that this cloud has not been lifted. I’m outraged that prosecutors at the Justice Department were tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me. But I will not be silenced.

**States he is outraged but does not deny the specific charges.

I’m confident that …(audience applause) I’m … I’m … I’m confident at the end of the day I will be vindicated; and they will be exposed. (more supportive cheers and clapping). Ah ah, I, ah, this a press conference I would appreciate if you ah .. if you would just withhold.  

** When someone uses the word “confident” it tells us he is thinking about other possibilities. After consideration he determines he is confident this is what happened or will happen. If someone is confident of something, he won’t use the word confident. The Senator’s own language indicates he has thought about the possibility of being found guilty. However, he is “confident” that will not happen. A person who has done nothing wrong probably would not contemplate being found guilty.

In December, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI on federal corruption charges. In his statement to the media, he said, “I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.” In June 2011, a jury found Blagojevich guilty on 17 criminal counts.

Ahh. Ah..look, I began my political career forty years ago fighting corruption in City Government. I publicly complained about illegal financial dealings in my city, until the FBI investigated, and the US Attorney filed corruption charges against the Mayor and others. I was called to testify for the prosecution. I received death threats. I wore a bulletproof vest for a month.

**Reviews his work history but does not deny the specific charges.

That’s how I began my career in public service and this is not how my career is going to end. I have always… I have always conducted myself…(cheers) I have always conducted myself in accordance with the law.

 **When Bill Clinton was running for President he was asked if he ever used illegal drugs. His response was, “I have never broken the laws of my country.” He later admitted that he was in England (not his country) when he experimented with marijuana. His response to “Have you used illegal drugs” was that he obeyed the law.

Here the Senator does not deny specific charges but says that he conducted himself in accordance with the law.  

I have always stood up for what I believe is right. I fight for issues I believe in, the people I represent, and for the safety and security of this country every single day. That’s who I am and I am proud up what I have accomplished. And I am NOT going anywhere.

I’m angry…(cheers) I’m angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life. I’m angry because prosecutors at the Justice Department don’t know the difference between friendship and corruption; and have chosen to twist my duties as a senator and my friendship into something that is improper. They are dead wrong and I am confident that they will be proven so.

**He is angry the prosecutors don’t know the difference. He also states he is again confident – this time confident that the prosecutors will be proven wrong. He does not say that he is angry because he has been falsely accused. He does not deny specific charges about his own actions.

And I am gratified to live in a country where prosecutors’ mistakes can be corrected by courts and juries. And I asked my friends, my colleagues and the community to hold their judgment and remember all the other times when prosecutors got it wrong.

**Again his focus is on the prosecutors and other cases but does not deny the specific charges brought against him.

The people of this great state elected me to serve and represent their interests in the United States Senate and that is exactly what I have and will continue to do no matter how long it takes to clear my good name. New Jersey is my home and I intend to continue to fight for it.

 **Fight to clear his name but not fight for his freedom that would come from being found innocent of the charges. Not once does he state he did not do it.

Watch Senator Robert Menendez’ statement here. If you have an audio, video or written statement you’d like analyzed contact me so we can discuss how I can help.

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