U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey has been indicted on federal corruption charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into his business dealings with a Florida doctor, authorities said Wednesday.
The indictment charges the Democrat, who has held his seat since 2006, with 14 counts, including bribery and conspiracy, over his ties to Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida optometrist and the politician's longtime friend. He is expected to appear in federal court in Newark Thursday.
At a news conference Wednesday, Menendez said he was "outraged" by the prosecutors at the Justice Department for being "tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me."
"I'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life," he added.
The indictment states that Menendez accepted nearly $1 million worth of "lavish gifts" and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for using the power of his Senate office to influence the outcome of ongoing contractual and Medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions of dollars to Melgen.
Melgen was also seeking Menendez's support of the visa applications of several of Melgen's girlfriends, according to the U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey has been indicted on federal corruption charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into his business dealings with a Florida doctor, authorities said Wednesday.
The indictment charges the Democrat, who has held his seat since 2006, with 14 counts, including bribery and conspiracy, over his ties to Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida optometrist and the politician's longtime friend. He is expected to appear in federal court in Newark Thursday.
At a news conference Wednesday, Menendez said he was "outraged" by the prosecutors at the Justice Department for being "tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me."
"I'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life," he added.
The indictment states that Menendez accepted nearly $1 million worth of "lavish gifts" and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for using the power of his Senate office to influence the outcome of ongoing contractual and Medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions of dollars to Melgen.
Melgen was also seeking Menendez's support of the visa applications of several of Melgen's girlfriends, according to the indictment.
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey has been indicted on federal corruption charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into his business dealings with a Florida doctor, authorities said Wednesday.
The indictment charges the Democrat, who has held his seat since 2006, with 14 counts, including bribery and conspiracy, over his ties to Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida optometrist and the politician's longtime friend. He is expected to appear in federal court in Newark Thursday.
At a news conference Wednesday, Menendez said he was "outraged" by the prosecutors at the Justice Department for being "tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me."
"I'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life," he added.
The indictment states that Menendez accepted nearly $1 million worth of "lavish gifts" and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for using the power of his Senate office to influence the outcome of ongoing contractual and Medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions of dollars to Melgen.
Melgen was also seeking Menendez's support of the visa applications of several of Melgen's girlfriends, according to the indictment.
Copy of Indictment can be download by clicking here.