Over two years after initial charges were filed, New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez (D) appeared in federal court Wednesday in Newark, New Jersey, for the first day of his corruption trial, along with co-defendant Dr. Salomon Melgen.
Menendez, 63, is accused of using his political power to advocate for Melgen, a campaign donor, in exchange for his sizable donations and gifts. The two are being charged with 18 counts of bribery and fraud.
What we know
- Melgen, an eye doctor from Florida, spent over $750,000 in contributions to Menendez's campaign funds, legal defense funds and political action committees, and allowed Menendez use of his private jet. Melgen also paid for Menendez and his girlfriend to stay at a Paris hotel for three nights, at a location where hotel rooms usually run around $1,500 per night.
- Menendez initially failed to disclose his usage of Melgen's private jet on his annual financial disclosure form. After the federal investigation of him became public, Menendez reimbursed Melgen $58,000 for travel, calling his failure to disclose the flights an "oversight."
Disputed territory
- Prosecutors allege Menendez used his position as a sitting senator to influence the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after Melgen was accused of overbilling the agency by $8.9 million dollars. Menendez also contacted Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to help intervene, at Melgen's request, prosecutors claim.
- Court documents also show Menendez is accused of putting pressure on federal agencies to grant tourist visas to three of Melgen's girlfriends, who came to visit him in the United States.
- Prosecutors have said that the two men had email exchanges that would prove "Menendez’s considerable efforts to pressure the Executive Branch on Melgen’s behalf."
Menendez's trial marks the first time in nine years that a sitting U.S. senator will go on trial for federal bribery charges, according to Fox News.
"I am looking forward to finally having the opportunity to seek exoneration,” Menendez said. “I do believe we’ll be exonerated. I did nothing wrong, and I did nothing illegal.”
Menendez has maintained that the undisclosed private jet trips were simply two old friends vacationing together. He told reporters as he entered the courthouse Wednesday morning, "[N]ot once have I dishonored my public office."
What others are saying
