US Senator Robert Menendez indicted on corruption charges
Senior US Senator Robert Menendez has been indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption and bribery charges for using his influence to illegally benefit a Florida eye doctor.
The US Justice Department on Wednesday charged Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, with using his office to improperly benefit a friend and major political donor.
Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Dr. Salomon Melgen, are charged with conspiracy, bribery, honest services fraud and violating the travel act.
A bribery charge is among the most serious accusations of corruption the federal government can make.
Menendez is the first senator to face federal bribery charges since another New Jersey Democrat, Harrison A. Williams Jr., was indicted in 1980 as part of the federal corruption investigation known as Abscam.
The federal indictment includes allegations that the senator accepted nearly $1 million worth of gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen between 2006 and 2013 in exchange for advocating on the behalf of the doctor, saying he "used the prestige, authority and influence of his status as a United States Senator to promote Melgen’s personal and business interests.”
Menendez has condemned the indictment, describing the move as politically motivated.
“Prosecutors at the Justice Department do not know the difference between friendship and corruption,” Menendez said adding that he is confident he will eventually “be vindicated and they will be exposed.”
The indictment also reveals how the US Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision and subsequent legal changes have opened a new channel for the rich to exchange campaign contribution money for official favors.
Menendez has been a leading lawmaker in Congress to impose new sanctions on Iran if nuclear negotiators fail to reach to deal, a move that has put him at odds with the White House.
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