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

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

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

salomÓn melgen podrÍa enfrentar hasta 600 aÑos de prisiÓn.ridades 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 apuntÁndole con el arma, del otro vehÍculo desciende un policÍa apuntando su arma. luego se baja de la patrulla el primer hombre que habÍa iniciado la persecuciÓn. esta es la escena vista desde el carro patrullero embistiÓ a mario valencia. luego se ubica detrÁs de la primera patrulla que habÍa llegado a la escena, se adelanta por el lado derecho y se dirige hacia mario valencia, lo golpea de fre

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

acusan de fraude al medicare a salomÓn melgen, vinculado a un caso de corrupciÓn con el senador bob menÉndez

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. >>> >> 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 put

acusan de fraude al medicare a salomÓn melgen, vinculado a un caso de corrupciÓn con el senador bob menÉndez

senate office to help a florida eye doctor and big political donor salomon melgen over investigation of his medicare billing he was also charged today. the indictment says menendez urged the government to adopt reimbursement policies that would benefit melgen. 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 c

and the dominican republic flights on a private jet paid for by his friend florida eye doctor salomon melgen also indicted. >> i'm angry because prosecutors at the state department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption. >> reporter: the gifts, argued in exchange for millions in medicare reimbursements honoring a security contract and getting visas for the doctor's girlfriend. menendez has temporarily stepped down as top democrat on the foreign relations committee. democrats say he's innocent until proven guilty. >> it's just not illegal for a friend to help a friend. >> reporter: the justice department argues in this case it's illegal. tracie potts nbc news washington. >> earlier this week hail storms pounded parts of arkansas and mississippi. some hail the size of baseballs. now a wide part of the country is bracing for another round of storms high winds, thunderstorms, and even more hail. nbc meteorologist bill karins has more on the severe weather outbreak. good morning to you, bill. >> hail is amazing. it's fascinating things as big as baseballs can be at the top of

influencia poltica en favor de un amigo a cambio de regalos.tanto menendez como su amigo, el doctor salomon melgen! martha flores estuvo presente en el homenaje que le rindiern sus fanaticos. vamos a verlo. marta: la presencia de selena se sintiÓ en la ciudad de corpus christi, miles de fanÁticos se acercaron. >> se encuentra con nosotros. >> es emocionante, me encanta escuchar a la gente hablando de ella. encanta ver a los fanÁticos. marta: las imitadoras no faltaron, durante meses se prepararon para participar del homenaje. >> antes venÍa mucho, me daba por vencida, pero decÍa, no todo se puede. marta: los niÑos demostraron su entusiasmo, y amor, el mismo amor que selena mostraba en cada una de sus presentaciones. >> selena, te amamos. >> todos los dÍas estaba con los vÍdeos de selena. marta: la imagen de selena, era parte de su tributo. cuando pasaron 20 aÑos, el recuerdo sigue latente, mÁs aÚn en estos lugares, donde viviÓ la cantante hasta el dÍa de su muerte. viajÓ para documentar el evento, es maestra bilingüe, y se convirtiÓ en tema de estudio para sus alumnos. >> siempre trato de incorpor

accused of using his powerful seat on capitol hill to benefit this man, wealthy florida eye doctor salomon melgen. the indictment says senator menendez accepted golf trips, lavish vacations, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to a legal defense fund. we spoke to his constituents. >> has he been proven guilty yet? >> not yet. >> well, you know, this is america. you're innocent until you're proven guilty. >> i hope it's not true. but if it is, then he's got to pay the price. >> reporter: justice department prosecutors say dr. 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.

salomon melgen, a florida eye doctor. prosecutors say the doctor gave the senator more than a dozen free flights on his private jets. frequent use of the doctor's fully staffed caribbean villa in a gated community with three golf courses. free romantic getaways including one with a girlfriend to paris, putting them up in this five-star hotel. and hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations. in exchange, menendez allegedly used his influence to help the doctor's foreign girlfriends with their visa problems. to protect a multi-million dollar contract for a company the doctor owns in the dominican republic. and to push medicare to drop its investigation into $9 million the doctor overcharged them. menendez insists he was just helping a friend. david wright, abc news newark. >>> we move to ininn now, the so-called fix to that hotly debated religious freedom law. state lawmakers approving changes to the law. the amend ments saying the new law is not a license to discriminate against gay men and women. the governor s

gifts like private jet rides and tropical vacations from longtime friend and florida eye doctor salomon melgen. prosecutors said in exchange menendez helped him get visas for his girlfriends and used his political power to lobby for the doctor's business interests. >>> if you're heading to philadelphia international airport today, you may see hundreds of airport workers on strike. they'll be demanding higher pay and better working conditions. nbc 10's katy zachry is live at the airport. katy, tell us more. >> reporter: hi tracy. we're reaching out to the airlines to see how this is going to affect operations for them. if you look behind me this is starting to be a busy time. as you can see things running smoothly right now. in terms of the employees that are going to be striking we're talking about baggage handlers wheelchair attendants and aircraft cleaners. now, as i said operations are running smoothly now, but come around 6:00 a.m. one of the busiest times here of the morning, these workers are going on strike. we've heard from this group before. you're looking at video of it. they've held

jersey democrat is accused of taking gifts and trips on a private jet from florida eye doctor salomon melgen exchange for changes in medicare that would make millions for the doctor. menendez, who often seems to relish a fight, says he's innocent. tonight, the remains have all been recovered from the alpine mountain where 150 died last week in the germanwings crash. allen pizzey has the latest. >> reporter: pieces of wreckage, some the size of a small car are being hauled off the mountain with muscle power and a team effort. lufthansa's senior executives traveled to the crash site to pay their respects and say thank you to the recovery workers. yesterday, the airline admitted it had learned about andreas lubitz's mental health problems in 2009. but today, c.e.o. carsten spohr ducked all questions about the copilot. >> we are learning more-- >> reporter: saying only that his act would take a long, long time to understand. one of europe's top airlines lufthansa now faces a massive bill for the recovery operation and the possibility of enormous lawsuits. in the german town of haltern, hundreds

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 into something that is improper. >> menendez is getting support from junior senator cory booker and other democrats in new jersey. as for new jersey republican governor chris christie he says everyone deserves a presumption of innocence. live in the digital operations center, vai sikahema nbc 10. >>> 5:04 now. a former state lawmaker from philadelphia faces sentencing today for an alleged scheme to funnel taxpayer money to his sister. jose miranda pleaded guilty to making false statements and admitted to an ethics violation. authorities say when he was a state representative, he hired a man to be on his staff but told him not to show up for work and to

===encadenado y esposado comparecio ante una corte en la florida el doctor salomon melgen acusado dee resultar altamente inflamable, desatando incendios, tan solo por estar cerca de una vela o una llama, sin siquiera entrar en contacto con el fuego. esto se debe al vapor que despide! asi que la proxima vez que lo utilice, evite estar cerca del fuego!! un fabricante de comida para bebes esta retirando del mercado una tonelada de compotas, que pudieran contener trozos de vidrio!! se trata de la marca "beech-nut", y los productos afectados son los de sabor a pollo y a patata dlce, con fecha de fabricacion del 12 de iciembre del 2014!! al menos una persona sufrio heridas en la boa, con una compota que contenia vidrio!! ha pasado un aqo desde el ultimo clasico entre la seleccion mexicana y la de estados unidos, pero la rivalidad entre esras selecciones sigue intacta, y lo que se vive a esta hora en san antonio es una batalla entre los hincha.... marta flores le tomo el pulso a la aficion momentos ants del partido. # >>las hinchadas sonaron a san antonio convirtiÉndolo en una fiesta. >> va

he says he had a friendship with a florida ophthalmologist named salomon melgen. they said what he was really doing was taking luxury travel accommodations, hundreds of thousand of dollars in campaign contributions, for quid pro quo. menendez came out and reacted this week, and let's say he's making it really clear he's not going to make it easy for them. here's what he said. >> i'm angry because prosecutors at the justice department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption. they are dead wrong, and i am -- >> okay, now, here's the question -- is this what friendship looks like? melgen is famous as getting the greatest amount of medicare paybacks in the country. he's an ophthalmologist. he does all these procedures. the feds said, "you improperly billed $8.9 billion. you got to pay it back." 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,

un dia despues de que el democrata fuera acusado de soborno y conspiracion ligados a un amigo salomon melgenco de la florida. --a menendez de descendencia cubana y con el mayor cargo legislativo en estados unidos se le acusa de recibir casi un millon de dolares en regalos extravagantes y contribuciones a su campaÑa a cambio de prebendas. --menendez, dijo que los fiscales confundieron la amistad con corrupcion. take 3 shot angle cam blanca ---veamos como pinta el pronostico para los proximos dias... ---pasamos con gabriela dellan... adelante gabriela.. take gabriela live gabriela live amigos tengan todos muy buenas tardes y sean cordialmente bienvenidos a noticiero telemundo 48 . enseguida les comparto la informacion meteorologica del dia de hoy. como usted ve en su pantalla aqui tenemos las siguientes condiciones climatologicas: ================= ponga atencion porque a continuacion le muestro las temperaturas para las principales ciudades del area de la bahia: san jose: 72 oakland: 65 san francisco:63 livermore: 73 sunnyvale: 69 ================= el pronostico extendido para los proximos ci

s/randy serrano @randytelemundo el doctor en cuestión salomon melgen quien ha negado haber actuado ilegalmentergos federales en este caso. ---suggested tag--- el senador bob menendez llevará a cabo una conferencia de prensa esta noche en nueva jersey. les tendremos toda la información. take 3 shot angle cam cesar ---veamos como pinta el pronostico para los proximos dias... blanca ---pasamos con gabriela dellan... adelante gabriela.. take gabriela live gabriela live amigos tengan todos muy buenas tardes y sean cordialmente bienvenidos a noticiero telemundo 48 . enseguida les comparto la informacion meteorologica del dia de hoy. como usted ve en su pantalla aqui tenemos las siguientes condiciones climatologicas: ================= ponga atencion porque a continuacion le muestro las temperaturas para las principales ciudades del area de la bahia: san jose: 73 sunnyvale: 70 morgan hill: 70 san francisco : 69 oakland: 67 livermore: 72 ================= el pronostico extendido para los proximos cinco dias: san jose jueves:73 viernes:73 sabado:67 domingo: 61 lunes: 63 san francisco jueves:69 viernes:6

investigating whether senator menendez improperly advocated for the business interest of florida dr., salomon melgencluding intervening on the doctor's behalf in a medical billing dispute. menendez acknowledged he flew on melgen's plane and failed at first to properly pay for the trip. he later made imbursreimbursement. neither the senator nor his attorneys have seen a copy of the indictment before it was leaked to the media. count on nbc 10 for complete coverage of this story. >>> all new on nbc 10 news at 5:00 grazing amid trash, debris and mud. an nbc 10 viewer tipped us off about these horses being swept in a southwest philadelphia lot. the animals live along grace avenue grays avenue. >> they also don't have shelter. rosemary connors is live at the scene. the spa was out there this afternoon. >> reporter: that's right. investigators were right with their cameras over the fence taking picks of the conditions inside and the horses. the spca tells me that the horses are actually in pretty good shape considering the owner purchased when they were malnourished. it's just the living condition, and th

accused of using the power of his seat on capitol hill to benefit wealthy florida eye doctor salomon melgen political donor and menendez's personal friend. the indictment says he accepted golf trips, vacations to the dominican republic on the luxury jet, and also a stay at a parisian hotel. >> it seems to me that people have been trying to bring down senator menendez for quite some time and there never has been anything to it. i'm inclined to believe innocent until proven guilty. >> just because you have friends, wealthy friends in high places doesn't necessarily mean that you're crooked also. >> justice department prosecutors say the doctor's business raked in millions. senator menendez allegedly intervened in a medicare billing dispute on the doctor's behalf. the senator says he will temporarily step aside as top democrat on the senate foreign relations committee. >>> and now to breaking news overseas. kenya's president has ordered up to 10,000 more police to deal with a deadly attack on a college. gunmen from the islamic extremist group al shabab stormed the college killing at least 15 p

reporter: 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

salomon melgen him in the light blue tie on his way to court lavished menendez with cash gifts and travelange with help for the doctor's business interest. wednesday night in an appearance before journalists and supporters menendez blamed the indictment on unnamed political enemies and blasted the feds. >> 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 am confident that they will be proven so. >> i won't mince words. today is a difficult day. >> reporter: on thuses thursday nebraska dez posted to youtube a two minute video he speaks direct toll his new jersey constituents and supporters around the country. >> i will never give up and i will never back down when the cause is just and the stakes are high. >> reporter: at its core the case again the senator is simple simple. lawmaker does the bidding for a wealthy supporter in exchange for cash and gifts. such cases are not eyes see to prove. >> i thi

salomon melgen satisfy of lavished menendez with cash, gifts and travel next change for help with thetor's business interests. wednesday night, in an appearance before journalists and supporters menendez blamed the indictment on unnamed political enemies and blast the the feds. >> 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 am confident that they will be proven so. >> i won't mince words. today is a difficult day. >> reporter: on thursday menendez posted to youtube two minute video in which he speaks directly to his new jersey constituents and supporters around the country. >> i will never give up, and i will never back down when the cause is just and the stakes are high. >> reporter: its core the case against the senator is simple lawmaker does the bidding for a wealthy supporter in exchange for cash and gifts. such cases are not always easy to prove. >> i think it's not a slam dunk report

his good friend eye dollar salomon melgen arrived about an hour earlier.ce 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 on his own reconnaissance. he was able to keep his passport but had to surrender his personal one. >> the justice department had nothing to say.

dozen. [ laughter ] menendez was indicted alongside his longtime friend, florida ophthalmologist salomon melgenave the senator over $1 million in gifts in exchange for political favors. menendez gave a statement yesterday and said he was angry at prosecutors. specifically, he 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 ] >> seth: 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 l

the justice department says the senator improperly used his power as a lawmaker to benefit salomon melgen a florida eye doctor and close friend of senator menendez. prosecutors allege melgen gave menendez nearly $1 million in lavish gifts and campaign contributions in exchange for political favors. senator menendez vehemently denied those charges and vowed to fight the 14-count indictment against him at a news conference yesterday. >> 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. i'm angry. [ applause ] i'm angry. >> dr. melgen has also previously denied any wrongdoing. nbc's kelly o'donnell joins me from washington and part of what senator menendez is saying here is that there is a difference between a donor and a friend. >> well, they have a long-standing relationship tamron. senator menendez and dr. melgen but the question will be did the senator use the influence of his office to do things in direct exchange for benefits giv

. >> salomon melgen, a florida eye surgeon, they have been friends since 1990s.l accounts were friends. they vacationed together they exchanged gifts and that's going to be key to the defense. menendez is arguing that this is a friendship and friends exchange gifts and the justice department said this went well beyond friendship, this was a corrupt bribery scheme. >> ifill: so the justice department is saying they have evidence that there was something given in exchange. >> correct. it's not unusual to charge bribery, but it's certainly easier to charge taking an unlawful gratuity. bribery is like payment for something whereas a gratuity is kind of like a tip, a thank you. they're saying he did favors for gifts and that's a much higher bar from a legal standard and i think that's why you see the totality of the evidence that the justice department is throwing out here. >> ifill: matt apuzzo from the "new york times," thanks for being here. >> always good to be here. >> woodruff: and in the day's other news, it appears one of the f.b.i.'s most wanted terrorists ha

salomon melgen with three problems including millions in dollars of medicare billings.nator, i know that the doctor is a long-time friend of yours but in accepting these gifts and in helping him with business, there's no other way to ask the question, did you portray the -- betray the public trust? >> absolutely not, chris. and when all the facts are known, of course prosecutors take out snippets of story to make their case, we will have an opportunity in court to make the entire case. when all of the facts are known, i know that i will be vindicated and we will win. what i have been doing over the 40 years of public service that i've had is fight for the people of my state of new jersey to get them back into their homes after super storm sandy, to make sure that we pass laws against the rate shock they were facing on flood insurance, to help the autism community be able to help their loved ones and pass major laws signed by the president and to fight for our national security against a nuclear-armed iran, among other things, and that's what i have been doing and that's

he says he had a friendship with a florida ophthalmologist named salomon melgen.hey said what he was really

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

his friend salomon melgen is also charged with 13 counts. this began in 2010 when me then debts accepted trips on melgen's private plane. it's and he he accepted domestic and international flights on private jets, first class airfares. use of a villa. a stay at a luxury paris hotels meals, golf outings and contributions to an illegal defense fund. they say he concealed document from melgen and the senator intervened in a dispute the doctor had with medicare and medicaid billing. and it was so melgen could sell medical equipment in a company he had a stake in. necessity men debts is probably the most powerful deputy droot break rank with the president on important issues. he's been a huge critic of cuba and the iranian negotiations. >> the prosecutors don't know the difference between friendship and corruption. and have chosen to twist my duties as a senator and friendship. they are dead wrong and i'm confident they will be proven so. bill: senator me then debts has been allowed voice of opposition on several issues including cuba and especia

salomon melgen, a florida ophthalmologist. according to the indictment filed wednesday, the doctor used the senator as sort of a personal errand boy on capitol hill getting menendez to intervene in a billing dispute over medicare charges worth millions of dollars, getting him to push the state department to help one of the doctor's business ventures, and even allegedly helping the doctor's girlfriends with their visa problems. in exchange, according to the indictment, the senator accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds from melgen, plus lavish caribbean holidays, deluxe hotel rooms in paris and expensive trips on board the doctor's private jet. the last time a u.s. senator faced bribery charges was 1980, the abscam investigation that inspired the movie "american hustle." >> i like you and we can do business together. >> reporter: menendez insists the fbi is out to get him. >> they are dead wrong and this is not how my career is going to end. [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: that abscam senator was a new