Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will be facing criminal corruption charges, according to CNN:

Washington (CNN)The Justice Department is preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat, alleging he used his Senate office to push the business interests of a Democratic donor and friend in exchange for gifts.

People briefed on the case say Attorney General Eric Holder has signed off on prosecutors’ request to proceed with charges, CNN has learned exclusively. An announcement could come within weeks. Prosecutors are under pressure in part because of the statute of limitation on some of the allegations.

The case could pose a high-profile test of the Justice Department’s ability to prosecute sitting lawmakers, having already spawned a legal battle over whether key evidence the government has gathered is protected by the Constitution’s Speech and Debate clause.

This news prompted a deluge of crowing and boasting from our stalker pal Chuck C. Johnson, claiming that he’s “vindicated.”

For 3 years I have helped the govt. bring down #menendez. I was slimed by other journalists but today I am vindicated. Going to tell story..

— Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) March 6, 2015

I would like my apologies now re: #menendez. The line forms on the right.

— Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) March 6, 2015

My reporting on Menendez & subsequent smearing by conservatives & liberals alike is what happens when fools herd together.

— Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) March 6, 2015

Hey remember when #menendez said I was a tool of the fucking communist government & you reported it @CarolLeonnig. Fuck you.

— Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) March 6, 2015

There’s more in this vein, but here’s the thing — Chuck’s “reporting” on Menendez had absolutely nothing to do with these charges. Chuck and Matt Boyle published an article at the Daily Caller alleging that Menendez had paid under-age prostitutes in the Dominican Republic for “sex parties” — an allegation that was subsequently completely debunked. Again from CNN:

Other lines of inquiry against Menendez had included allegations he solicited prostitutes in the Dominican Republic, and that he violated the law helping win permanent U.S. residency for two Ecuadorian banking magnates, the Isaias brothers. The prostitution allegations collapsed after the purported prostitutes recanted their story, and the FBI didn’t find evidence of wrongdoing in the Isaias matter, according to people briefed on the probe.

So uh, Chuck? You’re not “vindicated” at all! In fact, these charges actually point out once again what a massive fail your smear piece was.

Love @ChuckCJohnson taking victory lap on Menendez when the senator’s using his debunked tale as ammo for a denial https://t.co/nJi92YIx2P

— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) March 6, 2015