Here at Twitchy, we’ve been leaning heavily on the Twitter feed of American Commitment president Phil Kerpen to keep us up-to-date on the bribery trial of Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez — coverage in the big newspapers and on the cable networks has been tough to come across, and even then, getting the (D) to sit next to his name in news reports is posing a challenge.
Kerpen had a theory Monday to account for the believe that a Democrat senator’s corruption trial isn’t a Top 5 story — maybe it just don’t have the sort of visuals that pop on TV screens. Fortunately, he also found a workaround:
The Dominicans. #MenendezTrialhttps://t.co/OSQbnJBo8W pic.twitter.com/jvH8JscESl
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) September 11, 2017
Melgen girlfriends Menendez got visas:
Juliana Lopes Leite, Brazil
Svitlana Buchyk, Ukraine
Rosiell Polanco Suero, Dominican#MenendezTrial pic.twitter.com/Gy2YuEtrVq— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) September 11, 2017
The government has also accused the senator of helping four women, three of them described by prosecutors as the doctor’s girlfriends, secure visas to enter the company.
In the case of Rosiell and Korall Polanco Suero, then 22 and 18, [ophthalmologist Salomon] Melgen had already sent a letter to government officials asking them to grant tourist visas to the women, whom he pledged to ensure returned to the Dominican Republic after their visit. That letter was subsequently followed by one from Menendez to the consul general in the country, encouraging him to consider their applications.
Recommended
Hmm …
Former Menendez staffer Mark Lopes testified today that Bob got visas for Melgen's girlfriends. #MenendezTrialhttps://t.co/H9sdsounU9 pic.twitter.com/c9STt57wGw
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) September 11, 2017
At Menendez trial a former staffer is explaining e-mails regarding visas for Melgen girlfriend. It was rare for him to get involved.
— Michael Aron (@MichaelAronNJTV) September 11, 2017
Girlfriends.
— Michael Aron (@MichaelAronNJTV) September 11, 2017
Government prosecutors trying to show a lot of effort went into visa for 22 year old friend of Melgen at Menendez DC office.
— Michael Aron (@MichaelAronNJTV) September 11, 2017
Bob spent 2.5 years appealing all the way to Supreme Court to block this staff testimony. He lost.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) September 11, 2017
He claimed then that directing staff to get visas approved was so official it qualified as Speech or Debate under the Constitution.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) September 11, 2017
Don’t forget that Menedez reportedly asked for a change to the trial schedule so he could be in D.C. for key votes, a request that didn’t fly either.
Network news would totally cover the #MenendezTrial if only they had interesting visuals.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) September 11, 2017
And there you go. No more excuses about interesting visuals; you could even slot in the Paris skyline during the segment.
At Menendez trial, first witness today is Amex rewards VP. Melgen used 649,611 points for Paris suite for senator.
— Michael Aron (@MichaelAronNJTV) September 11, 2017
Related:
Redeemed: Kellyanne Conway bashed for claiming NYT didn’t mention Menendez is a Dem, but … https://t.co/rBlrmKXWNc
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) September 6, 2017
Join the conversation as a VIP Member