NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Testimony at the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez has touched on an unconfirmed story about underage prostitutes that prompted the investigation into the New Jersey Democrat.
A conservative website made the allegation before the 2012 election, and it was later discredited. It led authorities to probe Menendez’s relationship with a wealthy doctor now on trial with him.
Jurors didn’t hear details of the allegations Wednesday. Menendez’s deputy chief of staff testified the report led him to comb through the senator’s travel records, including trips to the Dominican Republic to visit Salomon Melgen.
Menendez later reimbursed Melgen for flights on Melgen’s private jet.
Menendez is charged with accepting the flights and other gifts from Melgen in exchange for lobbying government officials on behalf of Melgen’s business interests.
