menendez and solomon melgen a florida eye doctor were indicted in connection with the bribery scheme. justice department says between january 2006 and yan 2013 menendez accepted close to one million-dollar in lavish gifts and campaign contributions from melgen in exchange for using power of his senate office to influence medicare billing disputes worth tense of millions to the doctor. 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 chri

menendez with solomon melgen a florida eye doctor, were both indicted in connection with the bribery scheme. the justice department says that between january 2006 and january 2013 menendez accepted close to one million-dollar in lavish gifts and campaign contributions from melgen in exchange for using the power of his senate seat to influence medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions to the doctor. 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

solomon melgen who has also been charged. >> i'm angry because prosecutors at the justice departmenton't know the difference between friendship and corruption, and have chosen to twist my duties as a senator and my friendship into something that is improper. >> reporter: the justice department alleged that melgen showered menendez with gifts with trips to the dominican republic and campaign contributions totaling $1 million. in exchange, menendez men dated melgen's personal and financial interests. according 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 char

take a look, menendez with solomon melgen, a florida eye doctor, were both indicted wednesday in connection with the bribery scheme. justice department says between january 20, 2006 and january, 2013, menendez accepted close to one million-dollar in lavish gift and campaign contributions from melgen in exchange for using the the power of his senate office to influence medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions to the doctor. 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. >> re

. >> took campaign cash and gifts from this florida eye doctor, solomon melgen. feds want to know if the senator improperly usehis office to try to help the eye doctor get a port security deal in the dominican republic a deal potentially worth tens of millions. >> jon: all right, all right, maybe chris christie' thick isn't illegal, but campaign cash and gifts for you, port deal for you? you don't need to go to a corrupt florida ophthalmologist to see this is classic corruption. >> lots of senators fly lots of places for lots of reasons. they do favors for political donors all the time. >> the fact that he received contributions from dr. melgen, those two things alone are not enough. the 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 ju

year federal investigation into his relationship with the florida eye doctor and personal friend solomon melgen. senator menendez is accused of using his office to improperly benefit medical queen. back on march 6th after word of a possible federal indictment, first leaked menendez called a news conference and denied any wrongdoing. >> let me be very clear, very clear, i have always a conduct myself appropriately and in accordance with the law. >> the democrat has publicly stated since then he has in intention of resigning his office. >>> governor chris christie's office had no comment on the indictment today however, the nationalnrepublican senate committee did weigh in saying that senator menendez betrayed trust of new jersians and that reenforcees what people think is wrong with washington democrats. >>> we also did hear from new jersey democratic senator corry booker who issued a statement a short time ago. he is speaking of menendez he's been a invaluable resource and amen for to me since i have arrived in the senate booker said, our system of justice is designed to be fair and impartial a

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

of 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

jersey democrat is accused of taking gifts and trips on a private jet from florida eye doctor solomon melgen, in exchange for changes in medicare that would make millions for the doctor. menendez, who often seems to relish a fight, says he's innocent. california's drought has forced the governor there today to order the first-ever statewide mandatory water restrictions. nearly all of california is in drought now. the areas in red are extremely dry. the glairs brown exceptionally dry. wherever you are in america, the drought could lead to higher food prices because more than half of america's fruits and vegetables come from california. omar villafranca is near lake tahoe. >> reporter: governor jerry brown would normally have needed snow shoes to walk on this section of the sierra nevada mountains. >> we're standing on dry grass grass, and we should be standing in five feet of snow. >> reporter: survairs are seeing a record low snowpack of just 5% of normal. californians depend on the melting snow to fill rivers and reservoirs, providing a third of the state's water supply. >> we're in an hist

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

menendez is accused of using his office to improperly benefit florida eye doctor solomon melgen. the senator admitted he flew on melgen's private jet multiple times though he said he paid him back for those trips. but menendez is also accused of interveneing in a dispute with the doctor. he received more medicare reimbursements in 2012 than any other doctor in the country. 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 simil

indictment really looks at his relationship over the past seven years with florida ophthalmologist solomon melgenndez allegedly took $1 million in luxury gifts in exchange for providing political favors to melgen which includes helping to influence the outcome of a medicare billing plan in addition to helping several of his girlfriends allegedly get vitas. melgen, who was also indicted was seen here earlier this morning in court and we're still waiting for menendez. >> thank you. let me bring in msnbc's bengie sarlan and ryan grimm of "the huffington post." thanks for being with me. ryan, let's talk about these charges. clearly very serious charges against this very influential senator in washington. >> right. and, you know, there aren't a lot of rules left you know about what politicians can and can't do but one thing -- you know, one thing they can't do is take large gifts or significant amounts of money and then -- and then take specific action to benefit an individual person and so you know without saying whether or not he's innocent or guilty of these charges, if you take somebody like melge

solomon melgen also pleaded not guilty today. here's what's next for this major case. gnizance and ordered him to surrender his personal passport. dr. melgen was released after posting about $1.5ex7>ípillion bond. he was also forced to surrender his passports and ground 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 ne

of 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

this man by the name of solomon melgen. he is facing charges as well.he has done nothing wrong and will fight to clear his name. >> i always conducted myself in accordance of law. i always stood up for what i believe is right. i fight for issues i believe in the people i represent and for the safety and security of this country every single day. that's who i am, and i am proud of what i have accomplished. and i am not going anywhere. bill: bret baier anchor of "special report" here on the fox news channel. how are you doing bret, good morning in washington. these are serious charges. 14 counts. conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. they get more specific than that. >> they are. there are 68 pages in this indictment. it is serious. menendez clearly says he is going to fight this and he believes that the prosecutors in the justice department in his words, were tricked into this investigation by people with a political motive, those were his words last night. a very fiery menendez. but as you look at the details of this 68-page indictment, bill ther

prosecutors say a west palm beach florida ophthalmologist doctor solomon in melgen in the light blue tayoun his way to court lavished menendez with cash, gifts travel in exchange for help with the the doctor's business interests. wednesday night in an appearance before journalist and supporters, menendez blamed the indictment on unnamed political enemies, blasting the federal. >> i'm angry because prosecutors at the justice department don't know the the difference between friendship and corruption and have have chosen to twist my duties as a senator and my friendship into something that is improper. they are dead wrong and i'm confident that they will be proven so. >> i won't mix word today is a difficult day. >> reporter: on thursday menendez posted to you tube a two minute video in which he speaks directly to his new jersey constituents and supporters around the country. >> i will never give up and never back down when the causes just and the steaks are high. >> reporter: at its core the case is simple, law maker does bedding for a wealthy supporter in exchange for cash and gifts b

. >> reporter: it began two years ago when the fbi raided the offices of solomon melgen, an rich eye close friend the senator. prosecutors allege menendez advocated on behalf of melgen on behalf of a dispute worth 8.9 million. he is a son of cuban immigrants who tangled with the administration on cuba policy and negotiations with iran. >> i'm outraged that prosecutors at the justice department were tricked in to starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me. but i will not be silenced. >> reporter: prosecutors say menendez got more than $1 million from melgen in cash and gifts but supporters here don't believe it. >> one person we can count on to consistently stand up and defend us is senator menendez. >> reporter: he recalled his years of public service and how he worked undercover once for the fbi. >> i wore a bulletproof vest for a month. that's how i began my career in public service. and this is not how my career is going to end. >> reporter: although he is vowing to fight, menendez has agreed to step down f

this investigation, the fbi, first started looking into allegations that menendez and his friend solomon melgenlso charged in this case, were going with underage prostitutes in the dominican republic. that allegation turned out to not be true. but now there's an indictment against the senator for corruption. back to you, michaela. >> all right. this is going to be one of those things we have to watch today, certainly there's a lot on the line here. interesting we're not hearing a lot from the white house about this. >> i was surprised to read this is the first federal bribery charges against a sitting senator in a generation. because it feels widespread. it feels as though we talk about this a lot. this really unusual and the first one in you know more than 20 years. >> there's a very bright line between political dynamics and legal ones. whatever he thinks got him into this situation, is not going to maintain now. now he's got to go with this legal situation and the waters are very deep for the senator. >> a storm brewing there and there is one in the tornadic form if you will. today's tornado