U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., addressed the media regarding criminal corruption charges alleged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

A New Jersey grand jury indicted Menendez on conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services wire fraud, violating travel laws and issuing false statements. The indictment was announced on Wednesday afternoon, and Menendez swiftly arranged a press conference from Newark, New Jersey later that evening.

According to the DOJ, Menendez and Dominican ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, who was also charged by the same grand jury, "knowingly combine, conspire, confederate and agree with each other and others known and unknown" to commit an offense against the U.S.

The indictment references Melgen's offers and Menendez's acceptance of domestic and international flights on private jets, stay at luxury hotel in Paris, golf outing and "tens of thousands of dollars in contribution to a legal defense fund." In addition, Menendez accepted Melgen offers to for the New Jersey senator to visit the doctor's villa in Casa de Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

The DOJ described the villa as a Spanish-style vacation setting located on one of the three golf courses as the ocean-side community, and it is served by Melgen's private staff, which "cooks, cleans, provides transportation, and generally caters to the needs of Melgen and his guests." The DOJ also alleged Menendez received "hundreds of thousands of dollars of contributions to entities that benefited Menendez' 2012 Senate campaign, in exchange for specific requested exercises of Menendez's official authority."

In response to the allegations, Menendez said on Wednesday evening that he is "outraged" with the DOJ.

"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 silenced. I'm confident -- at the end of the day -- I will be vindicated and they will be exposed," said Menendez.

Menendez said he has always conducted himself in accordance with the law and stood up for what is right, fought for the issues his constituents believe in and for the safety and security of the U.S.

"That's who I am and I'm proud of what I have accomplished, and I'm not going anywhere," added Menendez. "I'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life. 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 as a friend -- into something improper. They're dead wrong, and I'm confident they will be proven so."

The Democratic senator said he has faith in the U.S. courts and juries to correct the prosecutors' "mistakes," and asked for people to hold their judgment.

Menendez's press conference was met with supporters who cheered for the senator.

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