The Sopranos is a documentary, I've always been fond of saying. The early 2000s mafia show captures the New Jersey that I grew up in. Although the glory days of organized crime ended long ago, local politics are still infused with the Tony Soprano spirit: backroom wheeling and dealing between petty local strongmen.
The fall of Sen. Bob Menendez (D–N.J.) captures that spirit well. Menendez was convicted on Tuesday for a bribery scheme involving gold bars and—in true Sopranos style—a shady meat business. He is likely to face 10 years in prison, NorthJersey.com reports, and Menendez reportedly told his allies on Wednesday that he will step down.
