NJ Senator Menendez Indicted for Corruption

The sitting senator from New Jersey, Democrat Bob Menendez, has been indicted on federal corruption charges.

The Associated Press reports that the charges stem from Menendez's close relationship with a Florida eye doctor named Salomon Melgen. The Department of Justice alleges Menendez used his position to secure political favors for Melgen in exchange for gifts and campaign contributions totalling almost $1 million.

Among the gifts Menendez is said to have received from Melgen are golf trips, airline tickets, and donations to a legal defense fund. In addition to bribery charges, Menendez is charged with making false statements and conspiracy. Melgen has been charged with related offenses.

For example, from 2007-2012, Menendez regularly used Melgen's private aircraft and never reported the flights as gifts from a donor. In exchange for the donations and gifts, Menendez often intervened on Melgen's behalf to make sure his immigrant girlfriends could stay in the United States.

Menendez also interfered with an investigation into possible Medicare fraud related to Melgen's medical practice. In 2012, Melgen received more money from Medicare than any other doctor in the entire country.

Both men have maintained their innocence and will most likely fight the charges. The AP says that Menendez will recuse himself from the activities of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is one of the most powerful congressional bodies when it comes to US foreign policy. He led the committee before Republicans took control of the Senate after the elections in 2014.

Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, is known for his opposition to normalizing relations between the US government and Cuba. He has also been a strident critic of any possible nuclear deal that could be reached with Iran.