Top Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez is under federal criminal investigation again

A powerful Democrat is under federal criminal investigation again, according to a confirmation from an aide to the senator.

The newest investigation into Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey was first reported by Semafor reporter Kadia Goba.

"Senator Menendez is aware of an investigation that was reported on today, however he does not know the scope of the investigation," said Menendez spokesperson Michael Soliman in a text. "As always, should any official inquiries be made, the Senator is available to provide any assistance that is requested of him or his office."

Semafor reported that Manhattan federal prosecutors had reached out to Menendez about the investigation and sent out at least one subpoena related to the case.

The New York Times documented an interview by prosecutors of an attorney in New Jersey named Antranig Aslanian, who casually knows Menendez. Aslanian says he knows of at least two other people who were subpoenaed.

Menendez was indicted on corruption and bribery charges in 2015. The Justice Department’s Public Integrity Unit accused him of trading political favors for various benefits, including luxury vacations and expensive flights, but a jury was unable to reach a verdict, and a judge declared a mistrial in the case. Prosecutors later officially dropped the case.

The prominent Florida ophthalmologist who was accused of bribing Menendez had also been convicted for a massive Medicare scam that cheated the government out of $90 million, but his sentence was commuted by then-President Donald Trump.

Menendez was admonished by the Senate for accepting gifts from the doctor.

The Semafor report also said the new investigation is broadly similar to the previous investigation but involves completely different people.

The 68-year-old senator is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate since 2006.

Here's more about the federal investigation:

BREAKING: Sen. Menendez Under Federal Criminal Investigation By U.S. Attorney's Officewww.youtube.com