The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 19, 2025

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

A federal judge sentenced former New Jersey U.S. Senator Bob Menendez January 29th to 11 years in prison for corruption charges and acting as a foreign agent. Menendez, a Democrat, was contrite in the courtroom, but blasted the process as “political,” and “corrupted to the core” in a not-so-subtle appeal to President Donald Trump.

Menendez was convicted July 16th on all federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent in schemes involving an Egyptian-American businessman and a New Jersey developer.   

In exchange for cash, a Mercedes convertible, and gold bars, Menendez used his influence as chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to procure exclusive import of halal processed meat products into Egypt.  The New Jersey Monitor reports that Menendez then signed off on billions in U.S. military aid to the government of Egypt, despite the country’s deteriorating human rights record.

But times have changed.  February 11th, the U.S. Justice Department ordered the Southern District of New York to drop bribery and corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.  He was accused of taking illegal campaign donations from foreign nationals and businessmen, and doing favors in exchange for luxury travel. The apparent quid pro quo with the Trump administration prompted six SDNY attorneys to resign in protest.

We linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (2024) ‘This wasn’t politics as usual, this was politics for profit.’  U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Convicted of Bribery & Conspiracy Charges.
U.S. Attorney – Southern District of NY – Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Bribery, Foreign Agent, And Obstruction Offenses
NJ Monitor – Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in bribery scheme
U.S. Justice Department – New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses
U.S. Department of Justice  via CNN – Dismissal Without Prejudice of Prosecution of Mayor Eric Adams
NBC News – Federal prosecutors in New York and Washington resign after refusing to drop Adams charges

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW),  Public Citizen,  Brennan Center for Justice

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Corruption #QuidProQuo #EricAdams #BobMenendez

The post Just 2 Weeks Before Bribery and Corruption Charges are Dropped Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Gets 11 Years for Similar Charges appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 27, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The framers of the U.S. Constitution included the Foreign Emoluments Clause because they feared the influence, corruption and bribery they witnessed in Europe’s monarchies.  Why should Americans care about it?

The Foreign Emoluments Clause, in Article 1, Section 9, reads in part: “And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”   

Fordham Law Professor Zephyr Teachout writes that James Madison mentions “corruption” 54 times in his Constitutional Convention notes, and that two dozen sections of the Constitution were designed to prevent it.

Fast forward to 2021, when after four years, 20 foreign governments spent an estimated $13.6 Million dollars at President Donald Trump’s properties, according to the House Ethics committee and good government groups.

Prior to Trump, Presidents put businesses and investments into a “blind trust”, shielding the President from information which could influence decisions not in the best interest of the country.  In 2017, Trump turned his assets to his two sons in a trust document, but continued to receive updates and income, and didn’t disclose the holding of over 100 trademarks in China and Russia until 2023.  

We have more on the Foreign Emoluments Clause at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, and we’ll discuss how it could influence policy decisions in a future report. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Congressional Research Service – The Emoluments Clauses of the U.S. Constitution
National Constitution Center – The Foreign Emoluments Clause: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8
National Constitution Center – Prof. Zephyr Teachout – The Foreign Emoluments Clause
American Constitution Society – Profiting off the Presidency: Trump’s Violations of the Emoluments Clauses
U.S. Supreme Court – BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE OF FORMER FEDERAL ETHICS OFFICIALS SUPPORTING
RESPONDENT
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – Trump likely benefited from $13.6 million in payments from foreign governments during his presidency
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – (2019)  Tracking President Trump’s unprecedented conflicts of interest
Business Insider – Trump waited until after he left office to disclose trademarks he owns in China and Russia

Groups Taking Action:

C.R.E.W., Public Citizen, Common Cause

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EmolumentsClause #ForeignInfluence #Corruption #DonaldTrump

The post The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause was Intended to Stop Bribery and Corruption.  Recently, Not So Much. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 18, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez was convicted July 16th on all federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent in schemes involving an Egyptian-American businessman and a New Jersey developer.   

Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said after the verdict, “This wasn’t politics as usual, this was politics for profit.”  

In exchange cash and gold bars, Menendez used his influence as chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to procure exclusive import of halal processed meat products into Egypt.  The New Jersey Monitor reports that Menendez then signed off on billions in U.S. military aid to the government of Egypt, despite the country’s deteriorating human rights record. 

The businessmen were found guilty of conspiracy and bribery, and Menendez’s wife, Nadine, will face trial after completing cancer treatment.  She allegedly acted as an intermediary in the transactions.  Menendez and the businessmen will be sentenced Oct. 29th.  A fifth conspirator, Jose Uribe, cooperated with authorities.  Menendez pressured the New Jersey Attorney General’s office to drop an insurance fraud case involving Uribe in exchange for a new Mercedes convertible for his wife Nadine.  

Menendez vows to appeal.  He remains on the 2024 New Jersey ballot, and while he stepped down as chair, remains on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.    We have a link to the jaw-dropping corruption indictment at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
U.S. Justice Department – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, His Wife, And Three New Jersey Businessmen Charged With Bribery Offenses
U.S. District Court, Southern District of NY (via NJ Monitor) – Superceding Indictment for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, Fred Daibes, and Wael Hana
New Jersey Monitor – Sen. Menendez convicted of bribery, all other charges in federal corruption trial
American Democracy Minute – Shades of Corruption: Menendez & Cuellar Prosecuted for Accepting Cash & Cars; Trump Reportedly Promises Climate Rollbacks for $1B in Campaign Contributions from Big Oil with Repercussions Unlikely
New Jersey Monitor – (2023)  Experts alarmed by claims that Menendez eased military aid to Egypt
USA.Gov – How federal impeachment works

Groups Taking Action:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW),  Public Citizen

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NewJersey #NJNews #BobMenendez #Corruption #Bribery

The post ‘This wasn’t politics as usual, this was politics for profit.’  U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Convicted of Bribery & Conspiracy Charges.  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 14, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The corruption trial of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez started May 13th for allegedly taking gold bars and cash in exchange for favors.  May 3rd, the U.S. Justice Department announced bribery charges against Congressman Henry Cuellar.  May 9th, news surfaced that former President Donald Trump promised U.S. oil executives he’d roll back climate regulations  – and asked for $1 Billion dollars in contributions.  

According to reporting by the Washington Post, Trump’s brazen ask occurred at an April dinner with U.S. oil & gas executives.  He told them they could afford to contribute $1 Billion dollars to his campaign, and promised he would expand drilling in the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico, and roll back Biden administration climate rules.  “You’ll get it on the first day,” he reportedly said.

Menendez, former chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is accused of doing political favors for the government of Egypt, an Egyptian American businessman, and a New Jersey developer in exchange for gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes convertible. 

Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar was indicted May 3rd for allegedly taking $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil & gas company, and a Mexican bank. He could face decades in prison.

Campaign finance complaints will likely be filed against Trump, but it’s unlikely the dysfunctional Federal Election Commission would take action – because there were no gold bars involved.  

Find out more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Washington Post – (Possible Pay-Wall)  What Trump promised oil CEOs as he asked them to steer $1 billion to his campaign
Politico – Trump pressed oil executives to give $1 billion for his campaign, people in industry say

The Guardian – Trump promised to scrap climate laws if US oil bosses donated $1bn – report
Politico – ‘A little bold and gross’: Oil industry writes executive orders for Trump to sign
NPR – Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez goes on trial in New York on federal corruption charges
Reuters – US Senator Robert Menendez’s corruption trial to get underway
U.S. Justice Department – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar Charged with Bribery and Acting as a Foreign Agent

Groups Taking Action:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington,  Campaign Legal Center, 

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #PoliticalCorruption #EndCitizensUnited #EndLegalBribery

The post Shades of Corruption: Menendez & Cuellar Prosecuted for Accepting Cash & Cars; Trump Reportedly Promises Climate Rollbacks for $1B in Campaign Contributions from Big Oil with Repercussions Unlikely appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 13, 2023

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio House speaker, four others arrested amid massive dark-money, pay-to-play allegations
Ohio Capital Journal – Former Ohio speaker, GOP chair both found guilty of racketeering
Associated Press – Ex-GOP Ohio speaker, lobbyist guilty in $60M bribery scheme
The Columbus Dispatch – What you need to know about Ohio’s corruption scandal, Larry Householder trial
Energy News Network – Former Ohio regulator linked to $4M payoff directed agency to limit response to FirstEnergy corruption
Cleveland.com – (2021) Ohio campaign-finance reform bill gets first look since emergence of dark money scandal
Spectrum News 1 – Law expert provides insight on campaign finance reform
Ohio Legislature – HB 737 (2020) Campaign Finance Reform Transparency Bill
Ohio Legislature – HB 13 (2021) Campaign Finance Reform Transparency Bill

Groups Taking Action:

Ohio Citizens Action, Common Cause Ohio

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) 

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The Ohio Capital Journal and the Associated Press report that a former Ohio House Speaker, and a former state GOP chair were found guilty of racketeering in what prosecutors called the biggest bribery and money laundering scandal in Ohio history.   

Former Speaker Larry Householder and GOP chair Matt Borges were convicted March 9th for taking money in exchange for orchestrating the passing of Senate Bill 6 in 2019.  The bill shifted $1.3 billion dollars in costs from two FirstEnergy Corporation-owned nuclear power plants to Ohio ratepayers, and gutted renewable energy standards. The legislature repealed the power plant subsidies in 2021. 

FirstEnergy, and other utilities pumped an estimated $60 million dollars into 501c4 dark money groups, which helped elect Householder and several other allied candidates.  Those candidates then supported Householder for Speaker in 2018.  The trial showed Householder received $500,000 dollars and expensive entertainment from First Energy, and Borges received $100,000 dollars.  

Charges may be pending for others, including former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Sam Randazzo, whose associated company allegedly received $4 million dollars from First Energy.   

Since then, Ohio’s House & Senate committees failed to move campaign finance transparency legislation forward.  First Energy was fined $230 million dollars.

We have more information on the scandal at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

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The post Racketeering Convictions for Former Ohio House Speaker & GOP Chair in Dark Money Corporate Influence Scandal appeared first on American Democracy Minute.