Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) adopted a "Taylor Swift defense" in his bribery case after citing the singer in a court filing.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York alleged that Menendez took thousands in bribes to benefit the government of Egypt and others. Charging documents also said Menendez pressured an official to drop charges against a co-defendant.
"During those communications, MENENDEZ attempted to pressure Official-2 to resolve the prosecution more favorably to the defendant," the Justice Department said in a September statement. "Official-2 considered MENENDEZ's actions inappropriate and did not agree to intervene."
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In a 48-page filing on Monday, Menendez proclaimed his innocence, citing Swift.
"At bottom, the government's theory is that the Indictment is sufficient because it alleges that Senator Menendez agreed to use his political connections and cachet to influence a state matter," the document stated. "That is not the crime of federal bribery. It is akin to paying any prominent person (say, Taylor Swift) to influence a state proceeding."
"She certainly has influence (perhaps more than a Senator!)," the filing added, "and paying her to intercede may feel unethical, but since it does not involve the corruption of any official power, it does not amount to bribery. So too here."
