NEWARK, N.J. — Sen. Robert Menendez’s environmental record took a hit on Wednesday after it emerged at his federal corruption trial that he once took an eight-passenger private jet from West Palm Beach to Washington, D.C. — by his lonesome.
The 2010 Cessna flight, which cost $8,036.82, required three legs, including one segment with no passengers just to get the jet to West Palm Beach, and a leg with no passengers to get the plane back to its hangar in Islip, on Long Island.
The $2,600-an-hour flight was arranged by and paid for by the New Jersey senator’s wealthy pal and co-defendant Dr. Salomon Melgen, records showed.
Menendez and Melgen, both 63, are on trial in Newark federal court on charges that Melgen bribed the Garden State pol with lavish gifts, including private jet flights, all-expense-paid vacations and $750,000 in campaign contributions.
In exchange, Menendez, a Democrat, used the power of his office to help Melgen with his business and personal affairs, including visas for three foreign girlfriends, prosecutors have alleged.
