Robert Menendez’s education in political corruption came unusually early.
In 1982, he turned against his mentor, Mayor William V. Musto of Union City, N.J., the popular leader of their gritty hometown.
Mr. Menendez took the witness stand and testified that city officials had pocketed kickbacks on construction projects, helping to put a man many considered his father figure behind bars.
Mr. Menendez, then 28, wore a bulletproof vest for a month.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Mr. Menendez broke barriers for Latinos and has used his perch as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to influence presidents and prime ministers.
Persons:
Robert Menendez’s, William V, Menendez
Organizations:
Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations
Locations:
Union City, N.J, Jersey, Washington