Sen. Robert Menendez repeatedly dodged reporters in Washington yesterday — avoiding questions about allegations he had sex with underage hookers in the Dominican Republic.

The Democrat from New Jersey slipped quietly out a back door after a New Jersey Chamber of Commerce banquet, at which he made his first public speech since the allegations surfaced.

Cornered by a wall of reporters, he refused to answer questions — and, with a half-grin, escaped into an elevator.