investigators say among gifts were flights on melgen's private jet and vacations at melgen's villa in the dominican republic. they allege menendez took steps to support tourist and student visa applications of three of melgen's girlfriend. menendez called the charges politically motivated and said prosecutors have twisted his friendship with melgen into something improper. >> i am not going anywhere. i'm and gray. i'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life. >> in the meantime menendez has decided to temporarily step down from his role as top democrat on the senate foreign relations committee and reaction now continues to come in. governor chris christie said in a statement everybody deserves the presumption of innocence and there's no reason for me or anybody else to get out ahead of themselves. we will have more reaction from both lawmakers and constituent is a like in our next half an hour. but for now we're reporting live from the the sat center, jan carabao for cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >> thank you. >>> we continue to follow

. >>> si se trata de el doctor salmÓn melgen que tambiÉn se presentÓ ante el juez isolda. >>> asÍ es contacto vi saum con melgen pero al concluir se levantÓ y fue a saludar a su amigo. el senador robert menÉndez y doctor melgen a quien define como su amigo entraron por separado a la corte, ambos se es de kwla ron declaran no cool pabloing. >>> el departamento de justicia ha seguido alegaciones basado en aka lum nias de mis oponentes polÍtico. >periodista: el gobierno lo acusa de usar influencia para ayudar al doctor melgen el senador tuvo que entregar su pasaporte personal pero se le permitiÓ ener el oficial y no si le impuso fianza lfrm melgen tuvo que entregar sus pasaportes pagar fianza de un flon millÓn y medio y sujeto privado tendrÁ que permanecer en tierra >>> hoy es un dÍa difÍcil para mi. >>> horas antes menÉndez difundiÓ en internet un video en espaÑol. >>> algunos se preguntan por quÉ el senador esta siendo juzgado. >>> se debe debatir en el senado como hacen constantemente no llevarlo annika so criminal. melgen y sus abogadoes salieron sin es decir, palabra pero el abogad

investigators say among gifts were flights on melgen's private jets and vacations at melgen's villa in the the dominican republic. they alleged that menendez took steps to support tourist and student visa applications of three of melgen's girlfriend. menendez called them politically motivated and said prosecutors have twisted his friendship with melgen into something improper. meanwhile reaction powers in from his fellow lawmakers alike. >> it does president surprise me but i don't believe until i know the fact what really happen with menendez or not. >> it doesn't even surprise you anymore. just one of the who else has been doing it and has not gotten caught yet. >> i have conduct myself in accordance with the law. >> i'm angry and ready to fight. >> senator corry booker is standing by his senior senator and governor chris christie has made a statement in the the to prejudge anyone. we will continue to follow this still developing story but we are live from the sat center jan carabao for cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >>> stay with "eyewitness news" as we follow the the menendez case. when

investigators say among the gifts were flights on melgen's private jet and vacations at melgen's villa in the dominican republic. they alleged menendez took steps to support the tourist and student visa applications of three of melgen's girlfriend. menendez called the charges politically motivated and prosecutors twisted his friendship with melgen into something improper. reaction from constituents start to power in. >> it doesn't surprise me but i don't know if i believe until i see the facts. >> it doesn't surprise you. it is him and who else had has been doing it. >> i have always conduct myself in accordance with the law. >> i'm angry and ready to fight. >> reporter: he said this will not end his career. we're going to hear from his fellow lawmakers coming up later in the the show. we are live from the sat center jan carabao for cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >>> please stay with "eyewitness news" as we follow menendez case through the legal system. the our coverage continues on line as well at cbs philly.com. >>> new this morning a row home is engulfed in flames in philadelphia's wisson

marÍa: el oftalmÓlogo salomÓn melgen, acusado de corrupciÓn.medicare por diagnÓsticos falsos. en un momento facturÓ al medicare mÁs que cualquier otro mÉdico en el paÍs. vilma: el oftalmÓlogo mexicano salomÓn melgen pasÓ su primera noche en la cÁrcel luego de que fue detenido por agentes federales, su abogada cuestionÓ el arresto. >> tuvo que pasarse la noche en la cÁrcel del condado porque el tribunal estaba cerrado, podrÍan haberlo arrestado por la maÑana hoy. vilma: esta maÑana fue llevado a la corte en esta camioneta de color azul oscuro el mÉdico ingresÓ vestido del prisionero y una cadena enrollada a su cintura que le inmovilizaba las manos. su esposa no pudo contener el llanto. el juez le leyÓ los cargos, sus defensores adelantaron que melgen se va a declarar no culpable. >> estamos completamente confiados en su inocencia. vilma: los argumentos para acusarlo salieron de sus propias oficinas, tras un allanamiento realizado por agentes federales. dice la fiscalÍa que intentÓ cobrar dice la fiscalÍa que intentÓ cobrar al medicare 190 millon

prosecutors said in exchange menendez helped melgen get visas for girlfriends and use his political power to lobby for the doctor's business interests. >> i'm angry because prosecutors at the justice department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption and have chosen to twist my duties as a senator and my friendship

in exchange, menendez men dated melgen's personal and financial interests.ccording to the fbi menendez changed the medicare reimbursement. melgen received more medicare reimbursements than any other doctor in the country. and prosecutors say the senator helped to fix visa problems so that melgen's international girlfriends could come to the u.s. menendez says he paid back the cost of the flights and he's done nothing wrong. he's vowing not to step down from the senate. >> i'm proud of what i have accomplished and i'm not going anywhere. >> menendez has stepped down from his spot as the top democrat on the influential senate foreign relations committee. the charges he faces come with some serious penalties. the eight counts of bribery could result in 15-year jail terms for each count. >>> robert shuler founded crystal cathedral. his weekly services, the hour of power were beamed into millions of homes for decades but in recent years the empire built by the 88-year-old crumbled. the cathedral near los angeles was sold to the catholic church in 2011, and his mi

senator says melgen is a friend and not just a donor. a federal prosecutor says that may be an issue. >> a friend may be a friend, but that's going to be a challenge for government here. because th relationship as i understand it goes back a long way. >> reporter: melge has denied menendez is the first senator charged bribery in 35 years. pete williams, nbc news, washington. >>> a massive fire erupted in the middle of the gulf of mexico owned by pen ex. at least four people were killed 16 others injured when an explosion ripped through a pumping area on the rig. about 300 workers had to evacuate. at least eight boats answered the call to fight the flames. the company clai there wa open well. >>> still ahead tonight, a disturbing fit of apparent road rage caught on camera. the video so many people are sharing turns out the man is a police officer. tonight, we'll tell you about the investigation. >>> and up next, fastballs raining from the sky, battering homes and cars. how hail forms big as baseballs as millions brace for severe storms. w

and to get visas from melgen's girlfriends. in return dr. melgen gave thousands in campaign contributions to menendez and treated the senator to luxury dominican very indications and vacations and trips. he's a friend and not just a donor, but a federal prosecutor says that's not a good thing. >> a friend may be a friend, but that's going to be a challenge for government here. because this relationship as i understand it goes back a long way. >> reporter: melgen has denied wrongdoing. menendez is the first senator charged with bribery in 35 years. pete williams, nbc news, washington. >>> a massive fire erupted in the middle of the gulf of mexico aboard an oil platform owned by penex. 16 were injured when it ripped through a pumping area on the rig. about 300 workers had to evacuate. at least eight boats answered the call. the company claims there was no leak or open well. >>> still ahead tonight, a disturbing fit of apparent road rage caught on camera. the video so many people are sharing turns out the man is a police officer. tonight, we'll

investigators say among the gifts were flights on melgen's private jet and vacations at melgen's villa in the dominican republic. they alleged menendez took steps to support tourist and student visa allegations of three of his girl friend. menendez call them politically motivated and said prosecutor have twisted his friend ship with melgen into something improper. take a listen. >> i am not going anywhere. i'm and gray. i'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career, and my entire life. >> reporter: in the meantime a lot of reaction is coming in menendez has decided to temporarily step down from his role as top democrat, on the the senate foreign relations commit thee, and that reaction is coming in from constituents and fellow law make's like. governor chris christie says everybody deserves presumption of innocence and there is a's no reason for he or anybody else to get out ahead of themselves. coming up, we will have much more reaction on this still developing story. we're live from the the sat center jan carabao for cbs-3 eye witt pest news. >>> fir

melgen. tamron? >> thank you very much kelly o'donnell live for us. >>> and we're following even more developing news right now. an official update could come at any moment on the nuclear talks between iran and the west. iran's foreign minister says substantial progress has been made, but there are still unresolved issues. what is the u.s. saying right now? a live report is next. >>> and a landmark verdict in what's being called the largest cheating scandal in the nation's history. 11 atlanta teachers are convicted of racketeering and taken to jail what. role testimony from students played in the convictions? >>> plus this. >>> we're in an historic drought and that demands unprecedented action. >> california's governor orders the state's first ever water restrictions in the worst drought in 1,000 years. we'll get a live report from los angeles, and you can join our conversation online. can you fine the team on twitter at newsnation and find me on facebook, twitter and instagram. most of the products

solomon melgen have denied any wrongdoing. the case against menendez is being run by the public integrity section of the justice department but if there is an indictment it would be announced by the u.s. attorney's office in new jersey. now, sources familiar with the case say the doj has been investigating the senator's actions before he first came to congress in 1993. back in 2006 and 2012 menendez faced scrutiny over whether or not he improperly used his office to help his allies. there were also questions about menendez intervene when did you go a government agency ruled that his friend dr. melgen overbilled a medicare program by $9 million. now, menendez has also repeatedly traveled on melgen's private plane but when those travel plans came to light, he had to repay $70,000 out of his own pocket. now, dr. melgen also has financed menendez's reelection campaigns. in fact, he spent well over $700,000. so, again we're waiting to see what exactly those charges could be and when we get word of those we'll bring them to you righ

solomon melgen have denied any wrongdoing.e against menendez is being run by that the public integrity section of the justice department but if there is an indictment it would be announced by the u.s. attorney's office in new jersey. sources familiar with the case say the doj has been investigating the senator's actions before he first came to congress in 1993. in 2006 and 2012 menendez faced scrutiny over whether or not he improperly used his office to help his allies. there were also questions about menendez intervene when did you go a government agency throughout the day his friend dr. melgen overbuild the medicare program by 9 million. menendez has traveled on melgen's private plane and had to repay $70,000 of his own pocket when those trips came to light and melgen has donated more than $700,000 to menendez's reelection campaign. so, again, criminal charges will be expected today. of course as we hear anything more we'll update. you live in the satellite center erin o'hearn channel6 "action news." back to you. >> thank yo

solomon melgen who is at the courthouse this hour.pting over $1 million worth of lavish gifts from the florida eye doctor including private flights, nights in a paris hotel use of a caribbean villa and expensive meals and golf outings. in return prosecutors say menendez used his promotion to promote melgen's business interests. >> they are dead wrong, and i am confident that they will be proven so. >> let me bring in nbc news justice correspondent pete bernie williams and awry melber co-host of "the cycle." pete, let me begin with you. 14-count indictment. both men say they have done nothing wrong. what's the crux of the government's case? >> you just outlined it and they also say that senator menendez failed to report these favors that were given to him, and the nature of the indictment seems to be that every time there was a favor then there was a contribution to senator menendez's campaign or a trip or contribution to some democratic party groups in new jersey that would benefit him indirectly. that's the narrative, that it was alw

lo ayudÓ en asuntos personales como asegurar visas de turistas y estudiantil para tres amigas de melgenrtamento de justicia dice que el senador lo hizo a cambio de regalos, viajes y la estancia en un hotel en parÍs. >> ambos hombres fueron acosados de corrupciÓn, uno de conspiraciÓn, 8 de sobornos y tres cargos de fraude al senador menÉndez se le aÑadiÓ un cargo de hacer declaraciones falsas. >> durante casi tres aÑos el departamento de justicia ha perseguido alegaciones basadas en calumnias de mis oponentes polÍticos que buscan silencio armo. >> el demÓcrata de nueva jersey admitiÓ volar en el avion privado de mÉdico y que no pagÓ apropiadamente por los traslados despuÉs hizo los reembolsos a melgen de miles de dÓlares por esos viajes. >> por ahora si dejÓ su puesto de liderazgo en el comitÉ de relaciones exteriores del senado. >> ante un juez federal el senador menÉndez se declarÓ no culpable no se le impuso una fianza pero sÍ tuvo que entregar su pasaporte personal, tendrÁ que comparecer nuevamente en corte el 22 de este mes. >> josÉ, regreso contigo. >> lori montenegro muchÍsimas gr

melgen was released after posting about $1.5ex7>ípillion bond.his personal plane. the next court date for this case april 22nd. a trial is set for july. >>> organizations in south jersey who had gotten support from senator menendez are speaking out about the charges against them. >> nbc 10 south jersey reporter cydney long joins us live tonight in camden. >> reporter: renee, i can tell you they're speaking up and they are speaking outdpó senator menendez and help that they say might not be here without his dedication his commitment and his support to low income and hardworking camden families. >> he was such an advocate for this new facility. >> patricia deshields remembers last june 19th vividly, the 3t the lives of the homeless and less fortunate would be greatly improved, bob menendez brought in $4.7 million in federal dollars to expand what they considered a new dilapidated health and wellness clinic from a bunk tore a state-of-the-art facility.

salomÓn melgen podrÍa enfrentar hasta 600 aÑos de prisiÓn.a en arizona publicÓ un vÍdeo tomado por la cÁmara de una patrulla del momento en que el agente que manejaba atropello de manera violenta a un sospechoso a quien perseguÍa para detenerlo. vilma: la policÍa estaba persiguiendo al hombre de camiseta blanca quien acababa de robarse un arma en una tienda. el oficial detiene su auto despuÉs que valencia disparÓ al aire y le informa a las otras autoridades que iban a apoyarlo, lo que sucediÓ. me comunica a sus compaÑeros que estÉn preparados, que el hombre volviÓ a cargar su arma, valencia camina por la calle y el auto patrullero se hace por el lado derecho y lo sigue. detÉngase, el arma estÁ cargada, le dice a los policÍas y acelera su marcha en direcciÓn al hombre que se subiÓ a la acera. de repente aparece otra patrulla de policÍas y se atraviesa frente al primer auto policial. la patrulla avanza en direcciÓn a mario valencia y lo embiste llevÁndoselo por delante. el policÍa que atropello a valencia se baja de inmediato de su vehÍculo apu

i'm sure the wife loved that detail, melgen's wife. is that just friendship or is that something more? >> it's not my kind of friendship. i mean, i don't have those kinds of friends. what can i say? i don't have billionaires on my rolodex. but the unfortunate thing is and i think the burden of proof is gonna be really high on the justice department, to actually show that there was clear bribery. but when you look at it overall, there's an issue of perception that really does not smell too well when it comes to a public official, public service. and these kinds of deals whether they happen all the time with friends or they're kind of "wink, wink, nod, nod," it doesn't look good. and it's not gonna look good for the voters, overall. >> one detail they jumped at is all the flights. he took so many charter flights. was not reimbursing anything until it looked like he was going to get caught. that seems to be politics 101. you got to reimburse the stuff. you can stay at somebody's house, that's a friend. but you can't take the flights. >> w

. >>> gracias, y bien el dbsa lo mono melgen deberÁ permanecer en cÁrcel dijo el juez su defensa queuaciÓn mÉdica cuando llegue. >>> el juez dijo que melgen podrÍa fugarse serÁ llevado a cÁrcel federal en miami, su esposa e hijo estaban presente en co corte. >>> la estadÍstica indica que adolescentes fuman menos cigarrillos, un estudio indica que jÓvenes optan por cigarros electrÓnicos su uso, se triplicÓ triplicÓ y aÚn no hay medida que regule su venta, esto seba basa en un sondeo realizado a 22 mil jÓvenes. >>> visitamos un pueblo en salvador donde dicen que las pandillas no son problema y salen nuevos detalles por la batalla legal por los embriones congelados de sofÍa vergara, y decimos quÉ celebra el papa emÉrito con este gran tarro de ♪♪ ¿estarías dispuesto a dejar de compartir esos momentos? ¿sacrificar toda una noche de streaming? ¿te parece bien que tu conexión te falle cuando más la necesitas? si no estás en la red más grande y confiable del país ¿sabes de qué te estás perdiendo? verizon. q con que investigaciÓn de estados unidos que tenÍa bajo la lupa en 2012 dijo que de te

doing political favors in exchange for a million worth of bribes, from florida eye doctor solomon melgen seen here with the light colored tie. after pleading not guilty menendez fired back. >> for nearly three years the the justice department has persued allegations based on smears launched by political opponents trying to silence me. >> these allegations are false. i'm confident they will be proven false, and i look forward to doing so in court. >> reporter: investigators say menendez assisted melgen in the multi million-dollar medicare dispute and helped get visa for dominican doctor's girlfriend. the senator never broke the law says his attorney. >> this investigation started with false and salacious allegations, made by political and a other opponents of senator menendez. >> reporter: menendez does not to have resign right now from his senate seat and says he won't but some voters question his leadership. >> if you are elect you should be doing better for everybody else and not just yourself. >> let the courts deciding whether he is guilty or not. >> you are not supposed to judge but

melgen, those two things alone are not enough. government has to show a link-up. >> the quid pro quo that the gifts he received were the reasons he did these favors for the doctor. >> jon: what else could it be? what do you think it's a quid-pro-coincidence? which brings tonight's play. our politics are so sick, they're now shrugged off as it's a fuzzy line. what do you do? we're that chronically ill. unless the corruption jumps off a handle bar mustache guy then we don't think it's corruption. and this isn't just a jersey thing. although we have perfected it there. this goes to every level of government. >> leadership pacs are now the second largest political revenue stream for members of congress, personal political expense accounts financed largely by lobbyists and special interests group. >> lobbyist working for the nation's biggest banks are the ones drafting those new financial rules. >> truckie lobby successfully blocked new sleep minimums for drivers, and citybank lobbyists actually wrote the provision that will roll back

melgen raked in millions. the indictment also says menendez accepted lavish vacations including golf trips as well as tens of thousands of dollars in contributions. constituents we spoke with have a variety of views, most saying he's innocent until proven guilty. we will be in court for menendez's first court appearance and have the outcome for you throughout the day on nbc10.com as well as our news app. live now from barrington new jersey monique braxton, nbc 10 news. >>> >> reporter: i'm katy zachry live at philadelphia international airport where behind me dozens of airport workers are protesting low wages and lack of health care. the people in this group you're looking at they are airport cleaners wheelchair escorts and baggage handlers. the ones who carry the luggage from the plane to the baggage claim. now, up to 500 of them are expected to walk off the job today. they are not airport employees. they are subcontracted. so they're hoping that this protest puts pressure on their employers to increase their

those charges centered on allegations of bribes and favors exchange with florida eye doctor salmon melgen seen here with the light colored tie. he also pleaded not guilty. after an hour long meeting menendez went on offense. >> for nearly three years the the justice department has persued allegations based on smears launched by political opponents trying to silence me. >> we will finally have an opportunity to respond, on the record, in court, with the facts. >> reporter: according to than a indictment announced wednesday melgen paid for lavish trips and made illegal donations to menendez in exchange for help settling a multi million-dollar medicare dispute, and helping melgen get visas for his foreign girlfriend. menendez's attorney does not believe the government can prove that the two men had devious intention was hear friendship. >> prosecutors at the justice department often get it wrong. these charges are the latest mistakes. >> reporter: menendez says he won't resign from office, but some new jersey voters lost confidence in him. >> you are innocent until proven guilty but this has

marÍa: los abogados del oftalmÓlogo salomÓn melgen no consiguieron una fianza para su cliente acusadota 190 millones de dÓlares a medicare. pues decidiÓ que el acusado continÚe bajo arresto. jorge: autoridades de la florida arrestaron a un tercer sospechoso acusado de una violaciÓn en grupo. fue detenido en georgia luego de que en lo identificaran como la persona que aparece en el vÍdeo. marÍa: el cartero de la florida que ha cobrado notoriedad por haber aterrizado en un helicÓptero en los jardines del capitolio, estuvo hoy en corte, por ahora permanecerÁ bajo arresto domiciliario y como nos dice pablo gato, dough hughes podrÍa enfrentar un severo castigo por esta hazaÑa. pablo: con su uniforme del servicio de correos, dough hughes saliÓ de la corte federal, permanecerÁ bajo arresto domiciliario y vigilado por grillete electrÓnico. encararÁ cargos por aterrizar un helicÓptero en el capitolio. >> yo creo que el fiscal del distrito de colombia va a tratar de ser muy serio en la manera en que trata de castigar a este individuo. pablo: el juego podrÍa costarle varios aÑos de cÁrcel, el ob

visas in 2007 and 2008 at which point it's assumed the women came to america, melgen gave them lasik, "hey, you said you like george clooney." [ laughter ] he looks like george lopez ate george clooney. [ laughter and applause ] far less salacious but possibly more damning is the accusation that menendez pressured the state department to approve a measure that would benefit melgen's interests in a port security deal. which isn't surprising because if there's a first rule of new jersey political scandals, it's there's always a port. "what can i do to get your help in the upcoming election?" "i'd love your help with the port. love you to help me out with the port." [ laughter and applause ] and that's probably the thing that's most working in senator menendez's favor, he's from new jersey. if the people of new jersey are going to be okay with a governor who make it harder to get across the bridge, they're going to be okay with a senator who makes it easier for models to get into the country. today, menendez pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released without bail. he promised he

allegedly accepted close to million dollars worth of lavish gifts and campaign contributions from melgen. investigators have also focused in part on plane trips menendez took to the dominican republic as a guest of melgen and he took steps to support the tourist and student visa applications of three of melgen's girlfriends no answer at senate menendez's south jersey office in barrington. some new jersey residents were concerned about the allegations. >> it doesn't surprise me. but i don't really believe until i know the facts if it really helped with menendez or not. >> it doesn't surprise you any more. just wondering if it's him who else has been doing it that hasn't got caught yet. >> mixed reaction from fellow new jersey politicians. senator cory booker is standing behind menendez saying "i won't waiver in my commitment stand alongside my senior senator so to serve our great state. >> "everybody deserves the presumptuous of innocence and there's no reason for me or anybody else out to get out ahead of themselves". >> i don't think anybody should prejudge anything. the guy is a u.s. s

also charged with 13 counts is menendez's friend, the wealthy south florida eye surgeon, salomon melgene investigation began back in 2010 after reports that me 9/11 december took many trips to the dominican public on melgen's private airplane. but the indictment goes much farther than that alleging menendez received use of caribbean villas, access to an excliewfsive dominican resort, a stay at a luxury paris eau hotel, golf outings and tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to a legal defense fund. the indictment also alleges menendez intervened after the centers for medicare and medicaid services accused melgen of overbillion for -- overbilling for millions of dollars of max lahr degeneration. the government's -- the government may use its case against melgen to go after menendez. >> they're going to try and flip doctor, meaning they're going to try and offer the doctor a deal so that he will testify against senator menendez. if they do that, i would think the government's case is very strong and the senator would be wise to consider a plea bargain. >> reporter: menendez has him

sab man melgen. salomon macungie. sill vonnk york city, it's "the tonight show starring jimmy fallon." tonight, join jimmy and his guests -- first lady michelle obama, matthew morrison musical guest, the smashing

got about $700,000 stored his re-election campaign from in guy sal monday melgen. there a feeling in the press that politics as usual, they all trade favors and why -- >> you and i live here in washington and have covered capitol hill. but there is a lot of this that you see that goes on. and srm people arecertainly people are friends with some of their biggest donors. bribery charges saying menendez knowingly took things of stral in exchange of acting on behalf of melgen. and will arethere are many cases where he did intercede with cms, with border patrol, all kinds of ways that he or his staff are allegedly stepping in to intervene for melgen. >> reminds me of the commission of robert mcdonnell and his wife who said he was helping a friend but taking lots of favors and money and did not get off the hook. last point is that the liberal norg "new york times" surprising people by saying menendez should step towndown. saying essentially he can't represent the people of new jersey and that he should step down and let someone else take the shannon bream, nice to see yo

melgen and senator necessity then dezz.case the gifts are part of a preexisting relationship. but it is a challenge for senator menendez because he didn't report the gift he got. that's a requirement. patti ann: monica, i know you are going to say not really that minor. >> both things can be true, the doj could be on a political witch hunt to silence senator menendez and what also might be true menendez might be corrupt and the charges true but he will have his day in court and we'll see. bill: 20 minute before the hour. chaos on the water. an oil platform consumed by flames forcing workers to making a dangerous choice. will the white house con deputy the remarks or quiet? >> it's the president's choice and his spokesman choice to call out conduct unbecoming high officials. patti ann: incredible images of an oil rig fire that left at least 4 people dead. 45 people injured 16 rushed to a hospital. the mexican oil company owns this oil company. in was no oil spill. the cause of the explosion is under investigation. bill: do t

melgen.thursday. they have deny breaking the law. >> these allegations are false. i am confident they will be proven false. ulate look forward to doing so in court. >> the question is can menendez beat the rap? i want to bring ing our legal dream team. criminal defense team. he worked to overturn the laundry conviction for tom delay. and hewas part of the team who convicted a senator. brian, i'll start with you, you got a delay cleared. let's see menendez calls you up your take the case what is the message? all the gifts they can prove that melgen this guy gave to menendez. clearly he intervened in some way on his behalf what's the defense? >> i don't want to break character as house counsel for it damned on this show. this guy is in big trouble. on final four weekend, this guy is 15 seed up against two. he's also a guy who over the last 30 years made his bones in new jersey politics. all the way back from the time he was the mayor of union city and wore a bullet proof vest to ferret out corr

advocated for business interests of doctor salmon melgen including intervening on the doctor's behalf in a medicare billing dispute and in a bid to support a port security contract in the dominican republic. menendez also delayed paying melgen thousands of dollars for trips to the dominican republic on a private jet. menendez suggests that any gifts he received from melgen were part of the close personal friendship that dates back to the early 1990's, democratic state senate the president steve sweeney had this reaction to the menendez indictment in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. that is you why are the the the greatest country in the world. so claims of wrongdoing are handled through the justice system. so, i don't think anybody should prejudge, anything. the guy is a u.s. senator. he has done good work for this country and this state. >> reporter: national republican senate committee issued this statement, quote with today's indictment the fbi and the justice department made it clear that senator menendez has betrayed the trust of new jersey's families. his actio

salmon melgen is charge with medicare fraud as well. prosecutors say he scam the government out of 190 million-dollar. melgen is also accused of giving gifts and campaign donations to senator menendez in exchange for political favors. menendez has pleaded not guilty and he is not connect to the the new charges against medical again. >>> three is on your side with the big recall on baby food that just came in the news room beach nut is recalling 2,000-pound of stage two classic sweet potato and chicken products. that is because they could have small pieces of glass in them. the jars have an expiration date of december 2016. so far at least one baby has gotten hurt and safety officials say risk of other injuries is high so just a head up, we will tell but that throughout the morning. >>> it is eye somber day in boston as city marks the second observance of the boston marathon bombings. >>> we will show you subdued way they planned to remember the the tragedy today. >>> searching for answers the sons of the prominent new jersey couple foun

melgen's business raked in millions. but his girlfriends got visas. menendez says he'll temporarily step aside as ranking member of the senate foreign relations committee. he also says he will be vindicated. now, in the next half hour we're working to bring you reaction from people menendez represents. live now from barrington new jersey, monique braxton, nbc 10 news. >>> the time is 5:33. new from overnight, philadelphia police say a masked man broke into a home in west oak lane. police say the man kicked in the door and pointed a gun at a woman inside. when the woman screamed for police, the intruder ran away without taking anything. police are still looking for the man. >>> this morning police are trying to solve a murder mystery, and the family of the man who was killed and dumped in the river is looking for answers. 69-year-old vito maglio sr. never came home last december. investigators found his suv burned and with blood and a shell casing inside. last friday crews pulled his body from the river in east falls. police say he had been shot twice

menendez says he didn't do anything wrong and he and melgen are just good friends. he's called a news conference for 7:00 p.m. we'll have more updates later. >>> new developments in the effort to reach a deal to curb iran's nuclear program today. talks in switzerland are set to drag into tomorrow. two days past the deadline set to reach a framework for the deal. as the midnight deadline passed last night secretary of state john kerry briefed president obama and national security advisers. there were more talks today. tonight the state department says kerry will stay another day because progress is being made. >>> walmart just commended arkansas governor hutchison for reconsidering a religious freedom bill similar to the law being reworked in indiana. jay gray joins us live in indianapolis. >> reporter: pat, criticism still growing right now as lawmakers at the statehouse here and in arkansas as you talk about work to find some type of fix to help the anger and attention to the issue start to fade. after watching the meltdown in indiana -- >> it's been a tough week i

including at least nine flights on melgen's private jet to or from the dominican republic will melgen had a vacation villa. expensive meals, golf outings, hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign contributions. and a three-night stay at a deluxe hotel in paris. so menendez could spend a weekend with a woman with whom he had a personal relationship. in exchange the indictment claims menendez used the power of his senate office to influence the visa proceedings of melgen's foreign girlfriends, a ukrainian model in 2007 brazilian model in 2008 and a dominican model that same year. when the dominican visa was initially denied menendez mailed a staffer, i would like a reconsideration tomorrow. menendez also inveened when melgs en melgen's offices were invest gated, over billing by $9,000. menendez went straight to kathleen sebelius asserting he was being treated unfairly. the senator insists he'll be vindicated. >> i'm angry, because prosecutors of the justice department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption and have chosen to twist my duties a as senator and my f

melgen pleaded not guilty. after an hour long hearing he went outside and went on the offensive again. >> three years the justice department has pursued allegations based on smears, launched by political opponents trying to silence me. these allegations are false. and i am confident they will be proven false and i look forward to doing so in court. >> senator menendez dez says he will not resign from office although did he step down as the democrat's ranking member on the senate foreign relations committee. >>> president obama is praising a tentative deal to limit iran's nuclear program. the us and its european allies and iran announced the framework during diplomatic talks in switzerland today. the administration says the deal includes new restrictions on iran's end hasn'ted uranium a two-thirds reduction of uranium stockpile and on-going inspections of iran's nuclear facilities. in exchange most economic sanctions against iran will be lifted once it proves compliance. >> if we can get this done and iran follo