Story written for graduate school, based off of past events
New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and a Florida ophthalmologist have been indicted for fraud by a federal grand jury, Paul Fishman, U.S. attorney for New Jersey announced at a press conference today.
The charges include conspiracy, violation of the Travel Act, bribery and honest services fraud. Menendez is also charged with an extra count of making false statements.
Menendez’s alleged co-conspirator, Dr. Salomen Melgen, sent him nearly $1 million in lucrative gifts in exchange for using the power of his Senate office to advance Dr. Melgen’s personal and financial interests, Fishman said.
Officials believe that the gifts Menendez accepted included vacations at Melgen’s villa in the Dominican Republic and a hotel room in Paris; a first-class commercial flight, a flight on Melgen’s personal jet and a flight on a chartered jet; $40,000 in contributions to his legal defense fund and more than $750,000 in campaign contributions.
Investigators believe that in return Melgen pressed Menendez to support student visas for three of Melgen’s girlfriends as well as a visa application for one of the women’s younger sister, and support for a Medicare billing dispute worth approximately $8.9 million.
The indictment further alleges that Menendez also pressured government agencies in a dispute involving a contract Melgen purchased to provide exclusive screening of containers coming through Dominican ports. Menendez is also believed to have met with government officials at all levels, including a U.S. cabinet secretary, a U.S. ambassador and other senators.
“Government corruption—at any level of elected office—corrodes the public trust and weakens out democratic system,” Fisher said. “It is the fundamental responsibility of the Department of Justice to hold public officials accountable.”
Fisher went on to say that thorough investigations must be conducted and indictments must be sought when facts and laws support the allegation.
Menendez is one of the highest-ranking Hispanic members of Congress and the 12th senator to be indicted since the late Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. He is the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee who has led US efforts to improve relations with Cuba, the home of Melgen’s alleged girlfriends.
Following the press conference, Menendez told a crowd of cheering supporters that he believes he will be vindicated.
“This is not how my career is going to end,” he said. “I am not going anywhere. I’m angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service and my entire life.”
Menendez’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told the press that his client would plead not guilty at tomorrow’s arraignment.