The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly considering bringing criminal charges against Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey after an extensive corruption investigation. The Wall Street Journal has revealed that prosecutors are expected to meet with Menendez’s lawyers in the coming weeks, indicating that they have gathered sufficient evidence to pursue charges against the senator.

The criminal investigation into Senator Menendez began in October of last year and originally focused on the awarding of a lucrative contract to IS EG Halal, a New Jersey-based halal meat business. This company secured an exclusive worldwide contract with Egypt to certify halal exports, while other firms had their contracts abruptly canceled. The suspicious circumstances surrounding the contract raised questions within the U.S. Agriculture Department, particularly due to IS EG Halal’s limited experience in the field.

One significant factor that drew attention to the case was the personal connection between Senator Menendez’s wife and the owners of IS EG Halal. Furthermore, Menendez’s position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which oversees billions of dollars in weapons sales to Egypt, added a layer of complexity to the investigation.

This is not the first time Senator Menendez has faced legal troubles. In 2015, he was indicted on bribery charges related to his alleged acceptance of luxury vacations, golf outings, campaign donations, and expensive flights from Florida physician Salomon Melgen in exchange for political favors. Melgen himself was convicted on multiple charges for operating a scheme that defrauded Medicare of millions of dollars.

Interestingly, the investigation into Menendez’s activities was initially prompted by allegations that he was involved in engaging with underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic. However, the trial resulted in a mistrial due to a split jury verdict.

As the U.S. Department of Justice weighs the possibility of criminal charges against Senator Menendez, it is crucial to note that this is still an ongoing investigation. The forthcoming meetings between prosecutors and Menendez’s legal team will provide an opportunity for the defense to present arguments against charging the senator.