Menendez Conviction Is Rare Corruption Victory: Barbara McQuade

Tuesday’s conviction of Senator Robert Menendez shows that, despite recent trends at the US Supreme Court, some avenues remain open for prosecutors to hold public officials accountable for crimes.

The New Jersey Democrat was convicted in federal court in Manhattan on all 16 counts in an indictment charging him with bribery, extortion, fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as an agent of a foreign government. Menendez has maintained his innocence and has said he will appeal.

In recent years, the Supreme Court has cut back on the application of federal statutes to the conduct of public officials. As a ...