US Authorities May Indict Senator Menendez on Corruption Charges - Reports

The charges against Robert Menendez revolve around his relationship to an ophthalmologist, who contributed $700,000 to the Senator’s 2012 race through an intermediary campaign funding channel, according to the US government watchdog Open Secrets.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Public Integrity Section of the US Department of Justice might charge US Senator Robert Menendez with corruption on Wednesday, according to local media reports.

“An indictment of Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez on federal corruption charges is expected as early as Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the case,” the newspaper Politico reported on Tuesday.

Reports that US federal authorities are preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against Menendez have emerged since March 6, 2015.

The charges against Menendez revolve around his relationship to US state of Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, who contributed $700,000 to the Senator’s 2012 race through an intermediary campaign funding channel, according to the US government watchdog Open Secrets.

Menendez has also allegedly received gifts and multiple trips on Melgen’s private jet.

Menendez’s office has maintained that Melgen is one of the Senator’s “closest personal friends,” and they would not respond to anonymous allegations about that relationship.

The charges against Menendez could include services fraud, receiving improper gifts and misusing government position for personal gain, according to local media.

On March 7, Menendez denied the accusations of corruption and added he does not intend to leave office.