Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NJ Senator Robert Menendez Indicted On Corruption Charges
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2015
Modified Apr 1, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2015
Modified Apr 1, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After a two year investigation, NJ Senator Robert Menendez has been indicted on federal corruption charges related to a West Palm Beach eye doctor.
According to the Times, Menendez has been charged with eight counts of bribery; each charge carries up to 15 years in prison. He was also charged with conspiracy, fraud, and making false statements on government documents.
The Miami Herald writes of the case: "Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is accused of accepting private plane flights and other gifts from Dr. Salomon Melgen, a major campaign donor, in exchange for trying to resolve the physician's multimillion-dollar billing dispute with the federal Medicare program." Those gifts included at least two round-trip flights worth $58,000 aboard Melgen's private jet.
Menendez becomes the first senator to face federal bribery charges since Harrison A. Williams Jr., a fellow NJ democrat, was indicted in 1980 in the Abscam scandal.
A few weeks ago, Jon Stewart took a look at several major NJ political scandals, including Menendez, and discovered that there is no such thing as a quid pro coincidence. "Our politics are so sick, symptoms we used to readily identify as evidence of cut and dry corruption are now shrugged off as, 'Eh it's a fuzzy line, what are you gonna do?'" he said. "We're that chronically ill."
Last month, as it became more and more likely that Menendez was going to be indicted, he said he had no plans to resign and vowed to fight any charges, telling reporters, "Let me be very clear, I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law...And I am not going anywhere."
Menendez is holding a press conference at 7 p.m. tonight to address the charges.
Tagged
corruption
indictment
new jersey
nj
robert menendez
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Lost SNAP benefits? NYC says you can reapply for 3 more months of aid
SNAP recipients who were kicked off for not meeting new work rules can get three more months of benefits.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
MTA delays slow Thursday morning's rush hour to a crawl
Because it's especially hard to get to work today.
By
David Giambusso
News
MTA delays slow Thursday morning's rush hour to a crawl
Because it's especially hard to get to work today.
By
David Giambusso
Early Addition: Is Canal Street finally getting wider sidewalks?
By
James Ramsay
A man who died on Rikers treated as ‘less than a human’ as family wages $25 million lawsuit
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Flushing is getting a facelift. Some worry the project will fuel more displacement.
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .