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           US Prepares Corruption Charges Against New Jersey Senator

   by VOA News

   U.S. officials say the Justice Department is preparing to file
   corruption charges against New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.

   Officials familiar with the case told U.S. media outlets that the
   charges center on allegations the Democratic senator used his office to
   push the business interests of a Democratic donor and friend.

   CNN, which first reported the news Friday, said U.S. Attorney General
   Eric Holder has signed off on prosecutors' requests to proceed with
   charges. It said an announcement could come within weeks.

   The Justice Department has declined to comment on the report.

   A statement issued by Menendez's office Friday said many false
   allegations have been made about the senator's ties with a Florida
   ophthalmologist, Dr. Salomon Melgen.

   "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," Menendez spokeswoman Tricia Enright said in the statement.

   Menendez has been accused of breaking the law in advocating for
   Melgen's business interest in a contract for port screening equipment
   in the Dominican Republic. He also is accused of helping his friend to
   over bill Medicare, the government run health program for the elderly.

   Menendez is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
   He has become one of the most vocal Democratic critics of President
   Barack Obama's foreign policy dealings with Cuba and Iran.




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   t-new-jersey-senator/2671134.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-prepares-corruption-charges-against-new-jersey-senator/2671134.html