Menendez Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Foreign Ties and Alleged Favor Trading
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Menendez allegedly took bribes from associates linked to Egypt and Qatar in exchange for political favors. A third businessman, Gazmend "Gus" Lita, was involved in a halal meat company tied to Egypt and met with Menendez.
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Lita was business partners with Fred Daibes, a co-defendant in Menendez's case. Lita signed documents related to an Egyptian land deal during the alleged bribery timeline.
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Menendez advocated for issues favored by Lita's brother Korab, a member of Albania's parliament. He met with Korab in 2019 and later echoed his calls for electoral reforms.
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Menendez had ties to an Albanian-American group involving Lita and lobbied for issues related to ethnic Albanians, including criticizing Serbia.
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There are concerns Menendez is too ethically compromised for his foreign policy role given his continued receipt of classified information.