Senator Menendez Indicted on Corruption Charges

(Tasnim) – New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez has been indicted on 14 federal corruption charges, including allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in improper gifts and campaign contributions as bribes in exchange for using his office to help a close friend and donor.

The 68-page indictment against Menendez was handed down by a federal grand jury in Newark on Wednesday afternoon. It includes eight counts of bribery against Menendez, as well as allegations of honest services fraud, violating the Travel Act and making false statements.

Also indicted was Dr. Salomon Melgen, a longtime Menendez friend and close associate. The two men had been at the center of a lengthy criminal probe by the Justice Department and FBI, Politico reported.

The allegations against Menendez will have repercussions beyond just his own political future. The veteran Democrat plays a key role in formulating US policy on Iran and Cuba, for instance. He’s also an important vote in the confirmation fight over Loretta Lynch, President Barack Obama’s choice to be new attorney general. A spokeswoman for Menendez said late Wednesday that he will vote to confirm Lynch, after aides had indicated earlier in the day he would abstain.

The sweeping nature of the indictment and its great detail — it covers seven years of interactions between Menendez and Melgen, and even features emails between the pair as they allegedly engaged in criminal acts — shows how thoroughly DOJ has prepared its case. Privately, many Senate Democrats and their top aides are convinced Menendez is in serious legal jeopardy, including a potentially long prison sentence if convicted.

“I’m angry because prosecutors at the Justice Department don’t know the difference between friendship and corruption and have chosen to twist my duties as a senator — and as a friend — into something improper,” Menendez said on Wednesday evening.

“They’re dead wrong, and I’m confident they will be proven so.”

Menendez’s ultimate fate will likely be decided in court. Charges of bribery — which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars — are often difficult for prosecutors to prove. DOJ will have to show a direct link between any favors and a campaign contribution or illegal gift, a tough legal standard to meet.