Menendez On Possible DOJ Charges: ‘The Start Of This Investigation Is Suspect’

UNITED STATES - JULY 15: Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., takes his seat for the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on "The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress" with Federal Reserve B... UNITED STATES - JULY 15: Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., takes his seat for the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on "The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress" with Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images) MORE LESS
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Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) office denied on Friday afternoon that he’d been involved in any crimes or wrongdoing in relation to a longtime friend and donor.

The denial followed a report from CNN, citing anonymous sources, that said federal prosecutors plan to file corruption charges against Menendez in the coming weeks.

The charges reportedly will center on Menendez’s dealings with Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen.

The full statement from Menendez Communications Director Tricia Enright is below:

As we have said before, we believe all of the Senator’s actions have been appropriate and lawful and the facts will ultimately confirm that. Any actions taken by Senator Menendez or his office have been to appropriately address public policy issues and not for any other reason.

The Senator has counted Dr. Melgen as one of his closest personal friends for decades. The two have spent holidays together and have gone to each other’s family funerals and weddings and have exchanged personal gifts. As has been reported, the start of this investigation is suspect. We know many false allegations have been made about this matter, allegations that were ultimately publicly discredited. We also know that the official investigation of this matter is ongoing, and therefore cannot address allegations being made anonymously.

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for ottis ottis says:

    CNN is suspect, and may be charged in the near future

  2. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    Not all ophthlamologists should not be measured by the self-certified Dr RandyP:…

  3. “As has been reported, the start of this investigation is suspect.” Anybody know what he’s talking about? The old stuff from his last campaign, or are the wingers already yelling about how it’s Obama’s revenge for Cuba and Iran? (Can’t stomach the prospect of checking out the RW cesspools myself…)

  4. ‘The Start Of This Investigation Is Suspect’

    Scratch a Dominican hooker, find a pay-to-play corruption scandal.

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