According to FEC and ELEC reports, US Sen. Robert Menendez and New Jersey State Senator Nellie Pou each took $500 donations from Al Alvarez, who resigned from the Murphy Administration after allegations surfaced of his sexual misconduct.

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt called on Senators Menendez and Pou to return Alvarez’s tainted contributions.

“Republicans and Democrats across New Jersey have condemned Governor Phil Murphy’s response to Katie Brennan’s complaints and agreed to investigate his hiring of alleged predator Al Alvarez. Bob Menendez and Nellie Pou should return immediately the money they took from Alvarez and join the NJGOP, Republican and Democratic legislative leaders in supporting an investigation.”

NJGOP Executive Director Theresa Winegar added, “As a woman, I find it very hard to understand how another woman could stand in support of Bob Menendez. I know deep down that Senator Pou must be struggling with this and the $500 check from Alvarez that should be burning a hole in her conscience. Hopefully she can break with her party, like Senator Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin have and join in supporting the effort to find justice for Katie Brennan.”