Senate ethics panel resumes Menendez probe after judge declares mistrial

The Senate Ethics Committee said Thursday that it will resume its probe into Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) after his bribery and corruption case ended in a mistrial.

“In 2012, the committee initiated a preliminary inquiry into alleged misconduct by Senator Robert Menendez. In early 2013, consistent with its precedent and in consideration of the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation, the committee deferred its inquiry. At this time, the committee intends to resume its process,” the committee said.

Ethics Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Vice Chairman Christopher Coons (D-Del.) and Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) issued the announcement in a joint statement.

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They noted that the committee would not make additional public statements about its probe “except in accordance with committee rules.”

The announcement comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) publicly called on the ethics panel to immediately investigate Menendez following the mistrial.

“His trial shed light on serious accusations of violating the public’s trust as an elected official, as well as potential violations of the Senate’s Code of Conduct,” McConnell said.

Menendez’s bribery and corruption case ended with the judge declaring a mistrial on Thursday after jurors were unable to come to a consensus on the felony charges after days of deliberating.

The decision is largely considered a win for Menendez, with 10 jurors favoring acquitting him on the charges, while two did not.