Menendez Update: the Scarinci Connection
NEWARK – Federal prosecutors handling the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez have elicited multiple references to Jersey power broker attorney Donald Scarinci during testimony today, implying Scarinci could have made the ask that got Menendez co-defendant Dr. Salomon Melgen to donate $600,000 to a Democratic super PAC in 2012.
Scarinci, a close friend of Menendez, was invited to the 14th Annual “Evening at the Races,” a June 2012 fundraiser for Menendez’s Senate run that year. Former President Bill Clinton also attended the event.
During cross-examination of lobbyist Jake Perry, who raised money for Majority PAC affiliated by then- Sen. Harry Reid, lead prosecutor Peter Koski showed images of the two FedEx labels from the envelopes two $300,000 checks from Melgen were sent in. The Scarinci Hollenbeck law office was the returning address for both.
When reached for comment today by InsiderNJ, Scarinci declined comment since he is on the trial’s witness list, but urged everyone to “stay tuned.”
“I’m on the witness list and I think everybody is going to have to wait to find out,” Scarinci said.
The first $300,000 check from Melgen to Majority PAC was dated June 1, 2012, the same day as the racetrack fundraiser. The second came on October 16, 2012. Both were earmarked by Melgen for use in New Jersey’s Senate campaign.
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