US Senator Robert Menendez 'Outraged' By Indictment on Corruption Charges - East Idaho News
Politics

US Senator Robert Menendez ‘Outraged’ By Indictment on Corruption Charges

  Published at

Getty 040115 BobMenendez?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1427934607084Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images(NEWARK, N.J.) — Sen. Bob Menendez said he’s “outraged” by a federal indictment on corruption charges stemming from his interactions with a Florida eye doctor.

“For nearly three years, I’ve lived under a Justice Department cloud, and today, I’m outraged that this cloud has not been lifted,” Menendez said at a news conference in Newark, New Jersey, Wednesday night. “I am confident at the end of the day I will be vindicated.”

“This is not how my career is going to end,” Menendez said. “I’m angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life.”

In the short news conference, Menendez maintained his innocence, saying his actions adhered to the law.

“Prosecutors don’t know the difference between friendship and corruption,” Menendez added.

Menendez sent a letter to Democratic Leader Harry Reid Wednesday night saying that the senator would step down as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “There is no caucus rule that dictates that I do so,” Menendez wrote. “I believe it is in the best interests of the Committee, my colleagues, and the Senate which is why I have chosen to do so.”

Menendez, D-New Jersey, along with Dr. Salomon Melgen, was charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of violating the travel act, eight counts of bribery and three counts of honest services fraud for actions including use of Melgen’s plane and his advocacy on behalf of the doctor.

After word of the indictment came down, the Newark Star-Ledger, one of the state’s largest newspapers, called for Menendez’s resignation.


Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION