Supreme Court refuses to dismiss Menendez corruption charges
*Why you should read this: Because this case had slipped into the background after an almost two-year criminal investigation. Because Menendez, one of two Latino U.S. Senators, had been fighting 14 felony charges related to favors allegedly done in exchange for political contributions and gifts. Because now, it seems, there’s nothing he can do to avoid a trial. VL
By John Bresnahan, Politico (3 minute read) 
The Supreme Court has rejected Sen. Bob Menendez’s attempt to throw out the bribery and corruption charges against him, setting the stage for a trial for the New Jersey Democrat this fall.
Read more stories about Sen. Bob Menendez in NewsTaco. >>
With Monday’s announcement, Menendez can no longer block the proceedings against him from moving forward, a major setback for his efforts to avoid criminal trial.
Abbe Lowell, Menendez’s lead defense attorney, said the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the appeal was “disappointing,” but still said Menendez will be “vindicated when all the facts are heard at trial.”
“It’s disappointing that the Supreme Court did not take this opportunity to set a clear, bright line of the separation of powers to ensure that Congress remains an independent and co-equal branch of government, free of interference and retribution from the executive as the Framers intended,” Lowell said in a statement. “While the senator always understood it is rare that the Supreme Court hears any case before trial, given the gravity of the Constitutional issues raised, he believed it was important to try.”
[Photo by Senate Democrats/Flickr]