menÉndez juega un papel muy importante en la cÁmara alta.tica, que se trata de una venganza de la casa blanca. menÉndez ha criticado fuertemente el acuerdo con cuba y cualquier acuerdo con irÁn que no garantice que sea imposible fabricar una bomba nuclear en el futuro. >> si menÉndez es culpable, tenemos que abrir 535 investigaciones. pablo: menÉndez insiste que esto es un plan para silenciarlo. ilia: el fbi recuperÓ un vÍdeo de un incidente en una ciudad fronteriza de california donde agentes causaron la muerte de un hombre hispano. vilma tarazona nos narra lo que ocurriÓ. vilma el incidente ocurriÓ en el 2012, los agentes de la patrulla fronteriza perseguÍan al hispano porque iba manejando a alta velocidad en direcciÓn equivocada. el auto encubierto de la patrulla de color dorado empuja y orilla al carro de martÍn de color azul, se observa a tres agentes acercÁndose al vehÍculo de martÍn y luego uno de ellos rompe la ventana del pasajero y le dispara con la pistola. de inmediato el auto se prendiÓ en llamas con alex martÍn adentro, quien m

menÉndez ha defendido su inocencia.uadamente y en acuerdo con la ley. pablo: se acusa al gobernador de nueva jersey en interceder. el doctor despertÓ sospecha al convertirse en el mÉdico que recibiÓ mÁs reembolsos de medicare en todo el paÍs. el senador de origen cubano tambiÉn habÍa utilizado indebidamente el aviÓn para varios viajes, el congresista devolviÓ $58,000 y dijo que sus amigas son familias desde hace 20 aÑos. menÉndez informÓ el aÑo pasado que se habÍa pagado 250.000 de sus fondos de campaÑa a una empresa de abogados para defenderlos de acusaciones. el fbi llegÓ a registrar las oficinas del oftalmÓlogo para registrar evidencias. robert menÉndez es uno de los mÁs influyentes en el congreso, juego un papel importante en el comitÉ de relaciones del senado, la cÁmara alta. este abogado dice que menÉndez es inocente y que todo es polÍtica, que se trata de una venganza de la casa blanca. menÉndez ha criticado el acercamiento con cuba y cualquier acuerdo con irÁn. y aÑade que todos los polÍticos hacen favores a sus

senator menendez plans to fight corruption charges. he is scheduled to appear in federal court in newark this morning. "eyewitness news" reporter jan carabao joins us from the sat center with the very latest information, jan, good morning. >> reporter: senator menendez has said that he was innocent and wow prove that. today he is facing a number of federal corruption charges including conspiracy, bribery and making false statements but last night he reiterated that he is innocent, will fight charges and in the end he will be vindicated. take a look at the video. 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 v

menendez insists he is innocent. prosecutors say he accepted gifts and campaign contributions in exchange for political favors. >>> meanwhile the teenage suspect in an attack here caught on camera is expected to surrendered to authorities today. police say the teenager knock out a 60 year-old man in the center city septa platform on monday. >>> masked gunman attack a college cam puts in north east kenya earlier today. opening fire in dormitories, killing at least 15 people and wounding, 29 others. officials say that the a attack game the hallmarks of a somalia islamic extremist group. we will be right back. >>> the flyers regular season is down to just a few games but they are giving the penguins, fits. still. the pens battling for playoff spot, and they took an early lead on sidney crosby's 300th career goal. that will do it for him. flyers got the a goal from vinny lacavalier and two from brayden schenn and beat penguins four- 16789 it took flyers seven straight win in pittsburgh. fly guys and hurricanes in carolin

look, first of all, bob menendez comes from new jersey.f you can survive and be ethical out of that county, you're practically a saint. number three, this investigation has been going on for a long time before iran was on the radar screen and, on most issues, menendez has been pretty close with barack obama and the administration. he hasn't opposed them on a whole lot of things, by any means. and new jersey brought this case and is known as a professional and incorruptable pros pro. >> why does he move on to this other thing? >> pros pro? the idea that barack obama would call up this guy and say, you know, i'm having a little trouble with negotiations. >> let's squeeze the lemon. >> i'm sorry. it's ridiculous. >> i agree with howard but i'll be devil's advocate. ted stevens got screwed by the prosecution. they screwed him and the guy died defeated for re-election because of that conviction and because of bad, bad evil crooked politics -- what do you call it -- prosecution. is there any chance that is going on here? >> no. >> just for purpo

gracias por dejarme ser parte de su domingo 5 de abril esta semana el senador demÓcrata bob menÉndezes en una corte de nu ayew jersey luego q presentaron 14 cargos criminales contra el senador demÓcrata acusÁndolo de utilizar su puesto polÍtico para beneficiar a su amigo el oftalmÓlogo. >> lori montenegro ha seguido el caso paso a paso y nos tiene este resumen. >> (♪). >> (aplausos). >> la investigaciÓn contra el senador robert menÉndez se basa en su relaciÓn con el oftalmÓlogo kequien ha dicho esu amigo, acusa a usar su cargo para ayudar a negocios del doctor incluyendo intervenir por facturas al medicare lo ayudÓ en asuntos personales como asegurar visas de turistas y estudiantil para tres amigas de melgen. >> el problema es que el departamento 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 pe

rutgers freshmen credits men menendez menendez, for college tuition freezes for working families. >> need to make college affordable and everybody out here you need a degree for this that and the third and then you need the money to get the degree. >> menendez announced an initiative to clean up sites in camden and he's been a strong advocate for the academy school. >> he will receive justice and he's a man of honor and he's a strong man. he will get through this. >> the founder dr. gloria sant santiago says it would aren't have been possible without the center on their side. >> there are major disparities in the camden communities in terms of diabetes and high levels of hypertension and kids are overweight and we want to keep families healthy. >> coming soon? june, to be exact, project hope here will open their brand new expanded health clinic in which menendez was instrumental in bringing millions in federal funding. we are told today that this center serves 3,000 lower income residents here in camden and also that their numbers of uninsured are rising by leaps and bounds due to un

robert menendez charged with corruption for his alleged dealings way florida doctor. tonight a fired up menendez is fighting back. >> this story is developing right now. good evening i'm chris may. >> i'm jessica dean. this indictment spells out accusations of bribery conspiracy and false statements and the fallout on capitol hill may have already begun. >> natasha brown on top of developments for us in the cbs3 sat center. natasha. >> senator menendez came out swinging tonight in a fight for his political career. fiercely denying any wrongdoing. >> i am not going anywhere. >> defiant senator robert menendez asserting his innocence vowing to fight federal corruption charges he's now facing. >> i'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life. >> reporter: after near three year investigation menendez and salomon melge in were indicted wednesday. federal prosecutors say menendez accepted gifts from political donor and friend in exchange for using the power of his senate office to benefit mel ge inform personally and fina

. >>> new jersey senator robert menendez says he is not going anywhere. >> he is angrily denying charges that he accepted close to million-dollar in gifts in exchange for political favors. "eyewitness news" reporter jan carabao joins us from the cbs-3 sat center with the latest information. >> reporter: well, senator menendez is facing a number of federal charges. he will appear in federal court later today. the those charges range from corruption conspiracy, bribery and making false statements. throughout this three-year investigation the the senator maintain his innocence and maintain he will fight these charges. did he that again last night. 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 sa

. >> senator menendez standing strong in the face of his indictment on corruption charges. he is expected to turn himself in and appear in court today. good morning i'm ukee washington. >>> i'm erika von tiehl. also the teenage suspect delivered a income out punch to the 60 year-old man is expect to turn himself in. how septa police ided this suspect. >>> gave me a gesture with the firearm and toll me to get out on have there. >> a fire fighter speaks out after one of his own holds him at gunpoint details of the hostage it ways earl will they are week at lah mountain mountain the fire station. katie. >>> and this is the day everybody has been waiting for, i know, nice surge on the thermometer today and it does not come with wet weather. we are finally going to get just a nice sunny spring day. you will notice wind. we will talk about that here in the minutes ahead but at least we've got that going for us sunshine and temperatures will have a a chance to rebound nicely here. some good stuff all good things initially but i have wet weather to tell but. we will get the to that

both menendez and dr. 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

menendez indictment is several years in the making.'s get right to bruce gordon live in the newsroom with the very latest. bruce? >> reporter: senator menendez is giving up his influential post as ranking democrat on the senate foreign relations committee but he is flatly rejecting calls for his out right resignation. menendez is making his case both to reporters through traditional media and straight to constituents fifty two yacht internet. >> senator menendez swept past reporters and photographers without comment on his way in to federal court where he entered a not guilty plea to charges that could bring an end to a nearly quarter century long congressional career. a 14 count federal indictment accuses menendez of conspiracy bribery and honest services fraud. prosecutors say a west palm beach, florida ophthalmologist dr. salomon melgen satisfy of lavished menendez with cash, gifts and travel next change for help with the doctor's business interests. wednesday night, in an appearance before journalists and supporters menendez blamed

senator menendez strode past reporters without comment thursday. before entering a federal courtroom to answer not guilty to corruption charges that could end his long and influential political career. 14 count indictment accuses menendez of conspiracy bribery and honest services fraud. the feds say a west palm beach florida ophthalmologist dr. salamone melgen gave menendez cash, gifts and lavish travel in he can change for the senator advocating for his business interests. wednesday night had menendez blamed the indictment on unnamed political enemies. >> i'm outraged that prosecutors at the justice department were tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me. but i will not be silenceed. >> i won't mince words. today is a difficult day. >> reporter: on thursday men and in dez posted to youtube a two minute state aimed directly at his new jersey constituents. he said he had fought against corruption in north jersey at the risk of his own safety before ever servin

ahÍ es un golpe muy grande perdemos un mega fono. >>> hoy el new york time dijo que menÉndez deberÍa en inglÉs reforma la reforma migratoria y discutiendo otros temas como educaciÓn, y salud. >>> varias organizaciones hispano los llamaron un campeÓn incansables de las causas de los hispano, recordaron que menÉndez es inocente hasta ser declarado culpable y por ahora estÁn dispuestos a darle el beneficio de la duda. >>> menÉndez podrÁ quedarse en el senado mientras que continÚa su proceso legal pero quien lo respaldan dicen que realmente no saben cuÁn efectivo podrÁ ser y mary ahora esperan que no continÚen escuchandose llamo padres aquÉl renuncie. >>> regreso contigo. >>> gracias por el informe lori. >>> y claro este dominen efecto mucho mÁs sobre estas acusaciones contra el senador menÉndez y el impacto en la polÍtica y en nuestra comunidad. y ademÁs lo Último sobre la ap pero tiroed relaciones entre estados unidos y cuba y lo estarÉ enfoque hablando sobre mi entrevista exclusiva con chiquis rivera que habla del poder del perdÓn despuÉs de las duras lecciones que le tocÓ vivir. >>>

menendez went to harry reid and menendez and harry reid went together to sebelius to try to interveneold them look this is out of my hands. the medicare investigators are going to go about their business, and if they find that he's committed fraud, they are going to go forward with that. there were a couple other cases where menendez intervened. now, menendez will say that he was doing this on behalf of not exactly a constituent but a fellow american. he was doing this in the service of justice, but the fact that he took so many gifts, you know a hotel suite in paris, you know trips to the caribbean, et cetera makes it look like a quid pro quo and that's -- that's something that is still forbidden in american politics. >> yeah and bengie the fact is -- the fact is that the senator says and he said it last night in both english and spanish in an unusual statement last night, that this is a dear friend of his and things are different when you're dealing with a friend as far as some of the, i guess, gifts that you receive from them. is that going to -- is that -- does that hold water? >>

. >>> we head to new jersey where senator bob menendez maintains his innocence after being federally charged with corruption, due in court later today, fox 29's steve keeley outside menendez office, with more, steve, will put up big fight? >> look, the menendez case is having big major repercussions beyond his offers here in barrington, white horse pike, north jersey, because if you have been following politics in washington, he's been playing a leading role in us policy on iran, and cuba, in the headlines almost every day, and was also seen in a third headline, key deciding vote on coincidentally the president's choice of loretta lynch to be the next attorney general and leader of the justice department, was just indicted him he's now said by staff to vote yes on that. and break the 50-50 tie. saying before he was going to and stain likely because he's not happy with the current attorney general eric holder, so probably wants to see him go as fast as possible because he made the ultimate decision to charge menendez. well these charges detail beyond first class travel and trips, that

menendez was met with tears and amrau -- applause from supporters as he responded.told the story of starting his public service career 40 years ago by ironically taking on corruption in his hometown of union city. >> i was called to testify for the prosecution. i received death threats. i wore a bullet-proof 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. >> and there was no talk of menendez resigning or stepping down. in fact, rick as we heard at the top of the show the senator stayed he is not going anywhere. >> all right, thank you for that report. >>> other news tonight, the cargo ship that lost propulsion and rand aground anchored off the port facility in gloucester county. only "action news" has this exclusive video of the moment of impact as the 600-foot freighter slams to a stop in the mud just feet from the river bank. only a few football feeds upriver from the burlington bristol bridge. faith the tug boats several tries to pull it back into the channel and past the bridge. students came to ga

senator menendez: thank you mr. chairman. let me thank you for your gracious remarks and i appreciate having worked with you on the legislation and your consultations with me on changes to the legislation which i support. i think this continuation of the bipartisanship that i try to set out when i had the privilege of chairing the committee rises to the high calling of what the united states senate is all about. it particularly opposes significant -- particularly shows the significance of the senate foreign relations committee. i want to thank senator cardin the ranking member, it is incredibly hard work in perfecting the legislation that brings us to what i hope will be a broad, strong, bipartisan vote. and i can't become anyone better to take my place during this interim. -- during this interim period. and i want to thank senator kaine. in my view, the way to send a message to iran about our feelings is to pass the corker-menendez act. it underscores congresses critical role in one of the highest priority national security,

but senator menendez defense said none of this was illegal. they've known each other for a long time and some of the allegations do seem to fit in that friendship territory about a dozen flights with the senator on his private planes and vacations. private train trips on his plain and reports. if you look at the timeline there is some pretty careful dove tailing between checks that the doctor wrote to senator menendez at the time he's knocking on doors and calling assistant secretaries and meeting with cabinet secretary ares >> how is this different from the case that was brought against governor mcdo notl in virginia. >> the robert mcdonald case was a big success in the justice department which will bring this case. through had someone who never met bob mcdonald came out of nowhere andd turned states evidence and agreed to testify for the government. you have none of these things here and they tried to get him to testify against senator menendez and no deal there and they have known each other. >> the generosity isn't necessarily corruption o

he paid $500 for his firsthand shake in 1993 with bob menendez. hundreds of thousands later, they both find themselves charged by the justice department with using "menendez's official position as a united states senator to benefit and enrich themselves through bribery." the justice department says he gave senator menendez lavish jets, including vacation, a paris hotel suite. earlier today, senator menendez relinquished his position as the ranking democrat on the foreign relations committee, then said -- >> 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 into something that is improper. they are dead wrong and i'm confident they will be proven so. >> joining me now, the chief political correspondent for nj tv news, michael aaron. i know this is a huge stretch for you to have to talk about political corruption. >> oh, yes. >> this is so rare. but let me tell you something about new jersey the finest most honorable an

and the philadelphia inquirer, above the fold, menendez indicted. he'll have day in court this morning to start the process? despite the fact he's been indicted he maintains his innocence, after being federal charged with corruption. >> yes, so steve keeley looking out for this. steve, bring us to up date with what's going on? >> a lot of people in barrington, drive by menendez south jersey offers, already new a lot of the case all of the sus pig cents around now 61 year old menendez, and his similar aids buddy down in florida the doctor, about them running around the world with these young women and now much of this corruption case, while known has some real startling new revelations in details about their trips with these women. his doctor friend doesn't even live here in new jersey, but menendez and staff quickly went way out of their way to do lot of favors for this guy the golf case one of the many paybacks the senator got in return, staying at five star luxury paris hotel that cost 1500 bucks a night and menendez emailed his friend asking him

says he's not going anywhere. >> and this is not how my career is going to end. >> senator menendez called the charges against him a political attack. if convicted, he could spend decades in prison. federal prosecutors allege he accepted lavish gifts like rides on private jets and tropical vacations from a longtime friend and eye doctor salomon melgen. 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

. >> what about corker menendez? >> i can sign on to it but i don't think it gives the ability for peace and opportunity. if it changes substantially, i'll look at it differently. if it doesn't change as it is i will not be signing it. >> are you aware of this agreement today between -- >> i'm aware they've worked on an agreement. we'll see what the outcome is. that could change my support, if you will. i just believe strongly that we have proven -- if you look back at hindsight 20/20, 2003 when we had a hard line stand no centrifuge, we took a hard stand and walked away. no negotiations. we know that didn't work. until we really got serious in 2012 and started negotiating, after 2010, 2012, and we are where we are today. i think that we have a chance. they're telling me that they have complied with all of the agreement up to date. it's a very difficult thing, but i like to negotiate peace before declaring war. >> if this bill passes would you want congress to hold off after final agreement is reached? >> it depends

menendez's parents were refugees as well. he's one of them. >> he does a lot for the people. >> reporter: you hope he continues to do that? >> yes. >> reporter: menendez has gone head to head with the president from his per on the senate foreign relations committee, there is speculation this is the administration getting back at him. >> they want to get him. >> reporter: they want to get him. >> because he was against alabama. >> reporter: you think it's all political. >> all political. everything is political. >> reporter: there are some who can no longer him. >> if it's true what they say, not really. i feel sorry for him. >> reporter: the question now, can this support sustain him against any push to make him step down until he gets to trial? >> it's easy to get an indictment, it's harder to prove a case at trial. >>> it's been a week since 150 people died at the hands of a pilot who went rogue. >> the process to recover the victims continues in the french alps but thewhat the airline's ceo is saying today. >>> and from th

today new jersey senator bob menendez surrendered to face fraud charges. >> menendez arrived at the federalurthouse in newark prepared to do battle with the justice department. his good friend eye dollar salomon melgen arrived about an hour earlier. once inside the courtroom, menendez pled not guilty and moments later, melgen entered the same not guilty plea. >> these allegations are false and i am confident they will be proven false and i look forward to doing so in court. >> reporter: each faces more than a dozen counts conspiracy to commit bribery. men mendes received rides in melgen's private jet and a free weekend in paris in return menendez helped melgen with millions in medicare disputes and tried to secure the eye doctor a contract in the dominican republic. the lawyer saidgp but because this was a real friendship and not a corrupt relationship and because senator menendez's actions were proper this case too, will become another of those mistaken cases that should have never been brought. >> melgé/mlÑ lawyer said nothing as they left the courthouse. m million. menendez was released

according to the fbi menendez changed the medicare reimbursement.elgen 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 ministry had to file for bankruptcy after being taken over by his ch

>>> senator bob menendez indicted by federal grand jury for alleged misuse of power. he's expected in court today and plans to come out swinging. >> plus, an armed robber terrorizing local businesses shoving a gun in employees faces and demanding cash. the new clue that could help police track him down. >> and let's take live look at market street here in old city. you want to get outside today. sue's tracking mild temperatures, but there is a little rain on the way. >> and a local church ripped off. why police believe the suspect hid out long after everyone else had gone home for the night. >> good day everybody, it is thursday april 20 -- second, 2015. >> we've been waiting for bit of warm up, in temperatures, and for temperatures to maybe get above average it looks like today will be the day. but not yet. we're still in the 30's, so we needed a coat when we walked out the door this morning. some of us. 3-mile per hour winds at least don't have a windchill. sunrise is official at 6:44 on this holy thursday morning for some. we do have clear skies high pressure will

"eyewitness news" reporter cleve bryan is at the courthouse where a defiant menendez said he will fight the the charges. >> reporter: facing 14 counts of corruption, senior new jersey senator bob menendez was arraigned in court yesterday. he is accused 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

de justicia tambiÉn se equivoca. >>> la defensa de menÉndez ha pedido a departamento de justicia queprÓximo 22 de abril josÉ. >>> gracias, hoy finalmente extinguieron el incendio en una plataforma plataforma petrolera de pemex en mÉxico desde ayer se evacÚa a los trabajadores y cientos de sus familiares estÁn desesperados se investiga quÉ protoed jo la explosiÓn. >>> y hay novedad sobre la caÍda de aviÓn de germain wings en alpes franceses, se dice que el copiloto bulls ko por internet informaciÓn sobre mÉtodo para swidz es suicidarse esto lo hizo dÍas antes de la tragedia. por otra partÍ el fiscal dijo que encontraron la segunda caja negra de la nave y restos humanos que corresponden a las vÍctimas. al regreso, los camioneros se es defienden de quienes los culpan de ir a exceso de velocidad. y investigamos como celulares de contrabando se convierten en el ♪ ¿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 qu

senator robert menendez walks into court and maintains his innocence. the senator entered a not guilty plea as did his friend and co-defendant. good evening, i'm chris may. >>> i'm natasha brown. the jessica dean is off. "eyewitness news" reporter cleve bryan is at the courthouse where a defiant menendez said he will fight the the charges. >> reporter: facing 14 counts of corruption, senior new jersey senator bob menendez was arraigned in court yesterday. he is accused 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

according to the f.b.i., menendez used his influence to change medicare reimbursal policy. in 2012, mengin received more medicaid reimbursements than any doctor in the country. he helped to fix visa problems so mengin's girlfriends could come to the u.s. menendez said he paid back the cost of the fights and vows not to step down from the senate. >> i am proud of that i have accomplished and i am not going anywhere. >> each count of bribery could come with 15 years in prison and there are eight counts of that. this is a very serious case. >> how unusual are these charges for a sitting send tear? >> very unusual. the last time a senator was charged with bribery is 1980. you have to prove that the senator accepted gifts and did favors in exchange. the last time a senator was charged, it was ted stevens of alaska seven years ago. that case blew up, though, because prosecutors were accused of misconduct. he lost his reelection bid. prosecutors had a black eye. people are watching this case very closely. >> thank you. >> iran says a nuclear agreement is close at hand, but getting

a very fiery menendez.k at the details of this 68-page indictment, bill there are some really specific stuff here. about a million dollars in exists and travel said to have changed hands at the benefit of the senator, to also benefit this florida eye doctor's business practice. bill: he is the ranking member minority member on the senate foreign relations committee. and this is a guy who has been critical on the policy towards cuba. he has been critical on the policy towards iran. remember when benjamin netanyahu was in washington a few weeks back, the speech at aipac that was full of fire. and the white house perhaps has not been very receptive to that. what is the word on the street there in washington about menendez and his opposition to white house policy on these two big foreign issues? >> yeah, i mean listen, he was one of the most outspoken and has been one of the most outspoken critics from within the democratic party of both iran policy, cuba policy, he has raised a love the questions in that -- a

both menendez and dr. 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

>>reporter: walking into a room full of cheering supporters, robert menendez menendez called out the prosecutors. >> i'm outraged they were tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me. >>reporter: never one to back down from a fight in the senate the two-term democrat sounded like he was gearing up for the fight of his political life. >> i'm angry and ready to fight. today contradicts my public service career and my entire life. >>reporter: he faces a long list of charges including conspiracicy violating the travel act, bribery, fraud, and making false statements. all stemming from his relationship with his friend dr. solomon melgin who has also been charged. >> i'm angry because prosecutors at the justice department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption and has chose on the twist my duties as a senator and my friendship into something improper. >>reporter: the justice department alleges he was lavished with gifts and trips and campaign contributions close to $1 million. in ex

count on nbc 10 for continuing coverage of senator menendez's indictment. we have a closer look at the charges on nbc10.com. >>> now a developing story in mercer county. prosecutors telling us that a man stabbed his mother and father inside their home on noting hill lean. all three people are in the hospital tonight. we're still trying to learn their conditions. the officers are on administrative leave. >>> tonight at 11:00. who killed vito. philadelphia police have a murder mystery on their hands. a man disappears from his home. months later, his body pulled from the schuylkill river. tonight his family struggles to understand why anyone would want him dead. >> he was almost 70 years old. he should have been given the opportunity to pass away comfortable in his bed. someone took that away from him. >> nbc 10's doug now in east falls. doug, do police have any clues? >> reporter: well detectives seem fairly certain that he was not the victim of random violence. and they say with the shell casing and rounds they recovered, it will lead them to whoever pulled

menendez jumped in on his behalf to fight it. he lobbied for him to be able to get a port-security deal in the dominican republic. it turns out, actually, the coast guard was going to give away free screening equipment to the port, and they said, "no no, no, no, let's go through this company owned by melgen." and then, of course, there was the matter of him getting visas for his 20-something girlfriends. 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

that is certainly a potential option here for senator menendez.is senator menendez is generally not somebody who is going to give up. he's been fight thing case for quite a while. he's known for several years the doj was investigating him. so the idea he will step down immediately is unlikely but i can see it in the next weeks or months. >> you think about the precedence on this. michael graham pleads guilty and then he's got to go. a previous new jersey democratic senator named harrison williams like in 1980 he ended up fighting trying to stay in the senate while they brought bribery charges against him. he got convicted and expelled. john enson resigned rather than even face the ethics committee. so there's no clear precedent on when they go but if he stays, there is the question of all the power he's got in the senate. he's the ranking democrat on the foreign relations committee. he is going to step down presumably from that position? >> yes, he has already. >> so the republicans have a rule about that. republicans say if you're under indictmen

the spotlight is on new jersey senator robert menendez. not for new legislation he's introducing but for bribery charges. we'll have details on the indictment and what's next for the senator. >> reporter: i'm nbc 10's monique braxton right outside the new jersey office of senator menendez. in just a few hours the top democrat will stand before a federal judge to face accusations of bribery, conspiracy and making false statements. senator menendez is accused of using the power of his seat on capitol hill to benefit wealthy florida eye doctor salomon melgen. prosecutors say dr. 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

i think that is certainly a potential option here for senator menendez.erence here is senator menendez generally is not somebody who's going to give up. he has been fighting this case now for quite a while. i think he's known for several years that the department is investigating him. the idea that he will step down immediately is unlikely. but i could see it happening, you know in the next few weeks, or months especially if doj is able to marshal more evidence against him in the next coming period. >> think about the precedence on this. michael grimm pleads guilty and then he's got to go. previous new jersey democratic senator named harrison williams like in 1980 ab scam was it he ended up fighting trying to stay in the senate while they brought bribery charges against him. he got convicted and expelled from the senate. and enson ended up resigning rather than face the ethics committee. so there's no clear precedent on when they go. but if he stays there is the question of all the power that he's got in the senate. he's the ranking democrat on the foreig

menendez gave a statement yesterday and said he was angry at prosecutors. was angry at them for not knowing the difference between friendship and corruption. which brings us to our new segment we call "robert and sal: friends forever." ♪ [ applause ] look, everybody needs to relax. all this is to two bros helping each other out. now, according to the indictment, bro one gave bro two $600,000 for his superpac. bro two menendez, sent bro one melgen an e-mail in which he asked him to get him a room at the park hyatt in paris featuring quote, "king bed, work area with internet, limestone bath with soaking tub and enclosed rain shower." because if you know senator menendez, you know he likes to wash himself two different ways, surf the worldwide web and then get some shut eye in a big ass bed. [ laughter ] but of course, your pal gives you something you have to return the favor in what the latins call "quid bro quo." [ laughter ] so what do you get -- [ applause ] what do you get for the man who provides a limestone bath? visas for his girlfriend. [ laughter ] i

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 and it presumes innocence before guilt. i won't waiver in my commitment to stand alongs