New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Thursday afternoon in front of a federal judge in Newark.
He was charged Wednesday with accepting almost $1 million in gifts and campaign contributions from a longtime friend – Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen – in exchange for a raft of political favors, including getting Melgen’s model girlfriends US visas.
Melgen, his co-defendant, also pleaded not guilty.
The defiant Democrat has vowed to beat the charges.
“I’m angry and I’m ready to fight,” he said Wednesday night.
The feds claim that Menendez — a foe of President Obama on Cuba, Iran and immigration reform — accepted gifts from Melgen, including flights on the doc’s private jet, stays in his posh Caribbean villa and tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to a legal defense fund.
The federal probe – which came to light when authorities raided Melgen’s offices in 2013 – will require prosecutors to prove that the longtime friendship between the men was used for criminal purposes.
Menendez, 61, who said he’d step aside from his role as top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has hinted at invoking the constitutional protections afforded to members of Congress for acts they take while in office.
He has played a leading role on Capitol Hill on matters involving Iran’s nuclear program and US efforts to improve ties with Cuba.
The 68-page indictment from a Newark grand jury contains 14 counts — including bribery, conspiracy and false statements.
Menendez had already acknowledged that he had taken several flights to the Dominican Republic on Melgen’s jet that were not properly reimbursed initially.
But prosecutors also say Menendez did not report other gifts, including stays at a Paris hotel and a Dominican resort, on financial disclosure forms.
In return, Menendez allegedly helped procure visas for Melgen’s three foreign girlfriends between 2007 and 2008; helped him in a 2012 dispute over a shipping contract in the Dominican Republic; and also lobbied the administration to adjust the way Medicare reimburses doctors in an attempt to make millions for Melgen.
Menendez has acknowledged taking actions that could benefit Melgen, but has insisted he did nothing wrong – and that his dealings with his pal were indicative of a 20-year close friendship.
Menendez’s Democratic supporters rallied around the embattled senator.
“Bob Menendez is one of the best legislators in the Senate and is always fighting hard for the people of his state. I am confident he will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead,” said US Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.
“He’s going to fight this all the way, and I’m going to help as much as I can,” Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) told Politico, saying it’s “not in Bob’s DNA” to resign.
His backers also launched a website — IStandWithBob.com — and a Twitter feed that promoted statements of support.
In an ironic development, meanwhile, Menendez may prove instrumental in getting Loretta Lynch, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, confirmed as US attorney general.
“Senator Menendez looks forward to voting in favor of Ms. Lynch when her confirmation vote comes to the floor,” his spokeswoman Tricia Enright told Politico.
His vote, combined with the rest of the Senate Democratic Caucus and four GOP backers, would give Lynch 50 votes – which would give her the confirmation, if Vice President Joe Biden broke a tie.
With Post Wires
