As U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) prepares for a tough reelection battle, the Auditor reports that “[s]omeone is trying to stop a U.S. Senate campaign by biotech mogul John Crowley before it even starts. The Auditor has obtained an opposition research memo about Crowley — but it’s unclear where it came from.”

Notably, the attack fell flat, as the Auditor noted that it attempted to smear Crowley – a well-regarded biotechnology entrepreneur and U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer, who is not a declared candidate for any office – for short-term losses by his biotech company, which are “perfectly normal” and “typical in the biotech business.”

However, “[w]hat The Auditor found more interesting was someone is already circulating research on Crowley, considered a strong candidate because of his wealth and compelling personal story: He took over the biotech firm and raised $100 million to research the rare genetic disorder that afflicts his two youngest children.”

Menendez – who is the only sitting U.S. Senator under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice – denies responsibility for the failed smear campaign, but notably refuses to condemn the attack against a member of our armed forces who has not even declared his candidacy for any office.

“John Crowley is not even a declared candidate, but clearly the Senator and his political allies are worried about how Menendez’s troubling ethics record looks in contrast to a well-regarded entrepreneur and Navy Reserve Officer,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond.  “It appears that not only are Menendez’s political henchmen launching a smear campaign against a private citizen, but they’re doing a very bad job of it.  If Menendez is not responsible, he ought to come out and condemn these unethical smears against a man who is serving our country.”