Indicted Menendez ‘not going anywhere’

Prominent Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez declares that he’s “not going anywhere” after he is charged with accepting nearly $1 million in gifts and campaign contributions from a longtime friend in exchange for a stream of political favors.

The Cuban-American politician is expected to appear in federal court in New Jersey on Thursday in response to charges that he used the power of his Senate seat to benefit Dr. Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida eye doctor who prosecutors say provided the senator with luxury vacations, airline travel, golf trips and tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to a legal defense fund.

The criminal charges brought Wednesday cloud the political future of the top Democrat — and former chairman — of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who has played a leading role in Congress on matters involving Iran’s nuclear program and US efforts to improve ties with Cuba.

Menendez, who represents New Jersey, says he will temporarily step aside from his role as top Democrat on the committee, but appears more defiant than ever at a hastily-called press conference that felt more like a political rally, with enthusiastic supporters cheering him on.

“I’m outraged that prosecutors at the Justice Department were tricked into starting this investigating three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me,” Menendez tells reporters.

He later says: “I am not going anywhere. I’m angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service and my entire life.”

— AP