U.S. authorities investigate Senator’s ties to halal certification company
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating ties between Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey and IS EG Halal, a start-up company operating in New Jersey.
The company has received exclusive approval to certify imported halal food for Egypt in 2019.
This was considered an unexpected development as the founder, Hana, had no previous experience in the halal industry.
Prior to 2019, several U.S. companies shared responsibility for certifying meat exported to Egypt under Islamic law.
Hana, an Egyptian-born U.S. citizen, was not charged, although his home and offices were searched by the FBI in November 2019.
The investigation is currently examining whether Senator Menendez or his wife received undisclosed benefits from IS EG Halal, such as a luxury car or an apartment in Washington.
However, the nature of Senator Menendez’s involvement remains unclear.
A spokesman for Hana’s company, IS EG Halal, denied any wrongdoing and stressed that the senator received no preferential treatment in exchange for the alleged gifts.
The investigation also extends to Senator Menendez’s new wife, Nadine Menendez, and authorities are focusing on the possibility that either she or the senator received undisclosed gifts.
Senator Menendez previously faced a federal bribery trial that ended without conviction, and both he and his wife have been traveling extensively.
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