Farm Progress America, May 30, 2024

Mike Pearson takes a look at a criminal case, something Farm Progress doesn't often report on.

The case of New Jersey U.S. Senator Robert Menendez is taking the center stage for many including the attention of meat producers due to his ties to getting meat into Egypt.

The trial centers on the exports of of halal meat. This is meat that is slaughtered according to Islamic law.

There were several companies who were responsible for ensuring the meat was slaughtered correctly and charged $500 for a 23 ton container.

Then a single company was charged with taking over the practice of certifying the meat. The company is called ISEG Halal Meat and now charges $5000 for the same 23 tons of meat and the only employees on file are one attorney and an office person.

During the investigation, it was found that the man responsible for ISEG Halal Meat is a friend of Menendez' wife and that charges contend Menendez was acting as an agent for the Egyptian government.

Inside the Menendez home, gold bars, expensive cars and thousands of dollars in cash was found.

The trial is expected to last through the week.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness .