ASBURY PARK PRESS :: OCEAN EDITION

APP.COM $1.00

Charges against N.J. senator include:

One count of violating the travel act

Three counts of honest services fraud

One count of conspiracy

Eight counts of bribery

One count of making false statements

THURSDAY

04.02.15

JASON TOWLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sen. Robert Menendez holds a news conference to address his indictment on corruption charges on Wednesday night in Newark.

MENENDEZ INDICTED
Democrat charged with
14 counts, including
corruption, involving
Florida eye doctor

Prosecutors allege that

New Jerseys senior
senator used his office
to benefit the Florida
eye doctor, a wealthy
donor, in exchange for
nearly $1 million in
gifts and campaign
contributions.

KEVIN JOHNSON AND NICOLE GAUDIANO

@BYKEVINJ AND @NGAUDIANO

WASHINGTON Federal prosecutors charged

Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez and wealthy donor Salomon Melgen on Wednesday with participating in a long-running bribery scheme.
New Jerseys senior senator used his office to benefit the Florida eye doctor in exchange for nearly $1
million in gifts and campaign contributions, prosecutors say.
A 68-page indictment outlines 14 criminal counts
against Menendez, 61, including eight counts of bribery. Melgen, a 61-year-old West Palm Beach, Florida,
ophthalmologist, faces 13 counts, also including eight
bribery counts.
At an evening appearance in Newark that resembled a campaign rally, Menendez angrily denounced
the governments case and said he has no intention of
leaving the Senate.
At the end of the day, I will be vindicated and they

No federal statutes
or rules can push
senator out of office,
but loss of clout looms

WHO IS
SALOMON
MELGEN?

BOB JORDAN @BOBJORDANAPP

Sen. Robert Menendez can stay in office despite being named in a federal criminal complaint, but his decision to temporarily step down from his leadership
role on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee likely
means that his clout is lessened.
Menendez hasnt demonstrated any willingness to
resign because of the slow-burning scandal over his
dealings with a major political donor. A month ago,
when news broke that federal prosecutors were
readying charges, Menendez declared he wasnt going anywhere. That message was repeated Wednesday.
In a surprise move, Menendez released a letter late
Wednesday that he sent to Senate Minority Leader
Harry Reid, saying he would temporarily step down
from his leadership post, but vowing to return once
the charges are settled while still promising to pursue the issues that I have been passionate about.
I am hereby notifying you that I am temporarily

WHATS NEXT?
Maybe nothing. According to a 2008 Congressional Research Service report, there are no federal statutes or Senate rules that directly affect the
status of a senator who has been indicted for a
crime that constitutes a felony.

SOUND OFF!
Should Menendez get the boot from the Senate?
Should voters be allowed to make it happen?
Tell us what you think in our Facebook chat at
App.com/MenendezIndictment.

See INDICT, Page 6A

See OFFICE, Page 7A

Support from Dems

Time line

Familiar tune?

Potential contenders

Effect on legislation

Local reaction

The states Democratic committee released statements

from several lawmakers and
officials. STORY, 4A

The charges center around

Menendezs relationship with
Salomon Melgen, a wealthy
contributor. GRAPHIC, 4A

New Jersey has a long and

storied history of political
corruption.
STORY, 5A

If the seat becomes vacant,

Gov. Chris Christie is in charge
of choosing a temporary
replacement. STORY, 5A

The Senate Foreign

Relations Committee will
continue its efforts, officials
vow. STORY, 5A

Several residents said they

were not shocked when
prosecutors handed up the
indictment. STORY, 10A

DROUGHT-RAVAGED CALIFORNIA TAKES DRASTIC STEPS ON WATER PAGE 1B

CHRISTIE MUM ON INDIANA

SAYING NO TO PARCC

BACK ON MATER DEI FIELD

Gov hasnt said what he thinks of

More than 50,000 students opted out

Opening day has great significance for

religious freedom law. Story, 14A

of the standardized tests. Story, 20A

coach Jeanne Dickinson. Story, 1C

8
DAYS

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A

FILM FEST AND A MUSIC
FESTIVAL COLLIDE?
Screenwriting Basics: Tell Your Story
Before You Can Sell Your Story

TO GO
ADVICE
CLASSIFIED
COMICS
LOCAL
MOVIES

workshop will be held. PAGE 3A

5D
1E
4D
3A
2D

OBITUARIES
OPINION
SPORTS
WEATHER
YOUR MONEY

18A
21A
1C
8C
16A

VOLUME 136
NUMBER 79

"6<;<3
 

"6<;<3


"TCVSZ
1BSL
1SFTT
EBJMZ

SINCE 1879

0DFBO
$PVOUZ
0CTFSWFS
4VOEBZ