U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) received the support of West New York Mayor Felix Roque, as well as several constituents, who spoke with Hudson County View at the Newark Hilton – where he addressed his federal indictment.Â
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Roque, the only mayor who attended the event, arrived with a group he referred to as former Cuban political prisoners who also wanted to show their support for Menendez.
One of these men later slammed the Menendez indictment, claiming it was political punishment for opposing President Obama on key issues pertaining to Cuba, Iran and the Ukraine.
Gina Diaz, a West New York Town Hall employee married to Manny Diaz – a childhood friend of Menendez who has also served as an advisor to Roque – called the indictment “politically motivated.”
While Newark resident Elizabeth Rivera didn’t go into a great deal of detail, she called the corruption charges against Menendez “a sham.”
Later, Roque, who beat federal hacking charges in October 2013, said that Menendez is a man of “integrity” and “honor” who “would’ve never done what they say that he has done.”