The Senate chamber welcomed a new face on Monday as George Helmy, former chief of staff for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, was sworn in to fill the vacant seat left by former Senator Bob Menendez. Menendez resigned in August after being found guilty of taking bribes in a corruption trial. Helmy’s appointment is temporary, lasting only until the November election, where Democratic Representative Andy Kim is seen as a strong contender for the permanent seat. Kim will face Republican Curtis Bashaw in the race.
While still on trial in July, Menendez had filed to run as an independent candidate for reelection. Interestingly, Governor Murphy could have appointed Kim to the vacated seat, potentially giving him an edge. Kim had previously competed against Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, in the Democratic Senate primary, but she withdrew her candidacy in March.
In another development related to the Menendez case, Fred Daibes, a New Jersey real estate developer convicted alongside Menendez this summer, pleaded guilty to a separate charge of bank fraud. Daibes admitted to making false statements about a $1.8 million loan in 2008. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Daibes, Menendez, and another businessman, Wael Hanna, were found guilty in July on bribery charges. Prosecutors alleged a scheme where the senator received cash, gold bars, and a car in exchange for favors. A fourth businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty to charges, while attorneys for Menendez, Hanna, and Daibes plan to appeal the verdict. Nadine Menendez, the senator’s wife, who was also charged with bribery, pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Following the July 16 verdict, Menendez maintained his innocence and promised to appeal “all the way,” including to the Supreme Court, in a letter to Governor Murphy announcing his resignation on July 23.
