Federal probe into US senator Bob Menendez widens as new subpoenas issued: Report

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A federal criminal investigation into US Sen. Bob Menendez has expanded with the issuing of new subpoenas, according to a recently published report.

The subpoenas, which were issued by a federal grand jury, include at least one prominent local politician in New Jersey -- North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, NBC News reported on Thursday citing two anonymous sources.

"Mayor Sacco and the Township of North Bergen will comply with any inquiry they receive from law enforcement and will cooperate fully," a city spokesperson told NBC.

Menendez has been the focus of a federal investigation into whether he improperly took cash and other gifts from a halal meat business, IS EG Halal. The New Jersey senator and the firm have denied any illegal activity.

Menendez, who is the chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in October that he was aware of the probe, but said he did not know of its focus.

The new subpoenas are unrelated to the allegations relating to IS EG Halal, and are instead related to legislative changes in New Jersey, the two sources told NBC. A spokesperson for the senator declined to comment on the new subpoenas when reached by NBC.