U.S. Sen Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was officially indicted by a New Jersey grand jury on corruption charges on Wednesday.

According to the charges, Menendez was indicted for using his political office to help a Florida eye doctor and political donor. The doctor and donor in question is Salomon Melgen, a 60-year-old Dominican ophthalmologist in Florida. The indictment charged Menendez with 14 counts including bribery and conspiracy. Melgen was also charged in the case.

The New Jersey grand jury's indictment comes after a federal investigation on Melgen for allegedly overbilling the Medicaid health care program. Menendez has made it public that he has known Melgen for two decades, which included their families celebrating holidays, funerals and exchanged private gifts.

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News of an imminent criminal corruption charge on Menendez was released on March 6, and the New Jersey Democrat held a brief press conference on the issue. "I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law," said Menendez on March 6, later adding, "I'm not going anywhere."

During the friendship, Melgen had his South Florida office raided by law enforcement. FBI and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) authorities were seen carrying boxes of Melgen's materials. Melgen's lawyer said the raid was conducted because the ophthalmologist had sued the government on Medicare payments and now the government is seeking revenge.

Accusations of Menendez visiting the Dominican Republic were questioned. He visited the country on Melgen's private plane on three occasions during 2010. Two of the plane trips were for private reasons while one was on official business. Menendez, however, did pay Melgen nearly $58,000 for the flights, and the senator admitted he failed to pay the doctor on a timelier manner because "it unfortunately fell through the cracks." Suspicion also arose when Menendez addressed a federal audit against Melgen, which said the doctor overbilled the government by $8.9 million in Medicare and Medicaid payment when treating his patients.

On March 6, Latin Post received a statement from Menendez's Communications Director Tricia Enright. According to Enright, Menendez's actions have been "appropriate and lawful and the facts will ultimately confirm that."

"Any actions taken by Senator Menendez or his office have been to appropriately address public policy issues and not for any other reason," stated Enright.

"The Senator has counted Dr. Melgen as one of his closest personal friends for decades," Enright said. "The two have spent holidays together and have gone to each other's family funerals and weddings and have exchanged personal gifts. As has been reported, the start of this investigation is suspect. We know many false allegations have been made about this matter, allegations that were ultimately publicly discredited. We also know that the official investigation of this matter is ongoing, and therefore cannot address allegations being made anonymously."

In a statement from Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., following the announcement of the indictment, Gutierrez said, "Bob Menendez has never given me any reason to question his integrity, his dedication to honest public service or his commitment to the American people. As a leader in the House and in the Senate, he has been a key ally in fighting for sensible immigration reform and a touchstone for all matters related to Latinos in this country. He is a friend who is quick with advice, encouragement and good ideas. I am particularly proud of his leadership on foreign policy matters related to Latin America. My hope is that these legal matters are resolved quickly so he can go back to concentrating 100 percent on his service to the people of New Jersey and the United States."

Janet Murguia, president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), said she is saddened with the news concerning Menendez.  

"Under the American justice system, those accused are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and Hispanic Americans have every reason to give the senator the benefit of the doubt...For millions of Latinos across the nation, Senator Bob Menendez is more than just the senior senator from New Jersey," said Murguia. "To the Hispanic community, Senator Menendez has been our voice and our champion in the United States Senate. In the more than 20 years he has been in Congress, Senator Menendez has consistently been one of the most thoughtful, constant, and eloquent advocates not only for Latinos, but for working families, consumers, and the country's interests abroad."

In a statement from Menendez's office, he will host a press conference at 7 p.m. from Newark, N.J.

Menendez is currently serving his second term as New Jersey's senator. He was first elected in 2005 and assumed the office on Jan. 17, 2006.  

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