Hey, it's Nancy. Before we get to the final episode of this season of Dead End, I want to say thank you for joining me on another deep dive into New Jersey politics. Here's something else you should know. Dead End is a public radio podcast produced by WNYC Studios. That means we rely on listener donations to bring you reporting like Dead End. We don't

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Bob Menendez is a creature of habit.

When he's in his hometown, he likes to get breakfast at the IHop.

His adult children, the MSNBC host Alicia Menendez, and the Congressman Rob Menendez,

joked about his habits in a campaign video a few years ago.

Have you ever been to a restaurant with him that he's been to one three times

where he's ordered something different?

Never.

And during the 31 years he worked in Congress,

Menendez was a regular

at Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Washington.

And now,

one dinner at Morton's in May 2019

is at the center of his downfall.

Let me set the scene. Two FBI agents were there, posing as a couple on a date.

They scored a table, not far from where Menendez and his future wife, Nadine, were dining

with Will Hanna, the halal meat guy we met last episode.

...