Menendez corruption and bribery trial: What to know

Sitting New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez's bribery trial kicks off. Here's why it matters and how the verdict could impact Congress' agenda.
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Menendez’s corruption trial began earlier this month in Newark, N.J. He has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of fraud and bribery.
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What is Menendez accused of?

Menendez, 63, is accused of accepting a plethora of campaign donations, gifts and vacations from Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist.

In return, Menendez used his position to lobby on behalf of Melgen’s business interests, according to prosecutors. A former health administrator testified that a Menendez staffer used his boss’s name to push for the settlement of a multimillion-dollar Medicare dispute involving Melgen.

Melgen allegedly directed more than $750,000 in campaign contributions to entities that supported Menendez, according to the indictment, which said they were inducements to get Menendez to use his influence on Melgen's behalf. Prosecutors have said Menendez tried to hide the gifts, which were part of a larger bribery agreement.

Melgen also paid for Menendez and his girlfriend to stay for three nights at a Parisian hotel where rooms typically cost about $1,500 per night and allowed the senator the use of his private jet, according to prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors said that Menendez “sold his office for a lifestyle that he couldn’t afford.”

The indictment also alleges Menendez pressured State Department officials to give visas to three young women described as Melgen's girlfriends.

Is there anything else to know about Salomon Melgen?

Melgen, 63, was convicted of 67 counts of health care fraud four months ago in what the Palm Beach Post called one of the biggest Medicare fraud cases in the U.S.

During that case, prosecutors argued that Melgen, who was born in the Dominican Republic, robbed Medicare of as much as $105 million, according to the newspaper. His sentencing has been delayed until after this trial.

Aside from Menendez, Melgen has given significant amounts of money to a variety of Democratic lawmakers, according to public records.

What happens if Menendez is convicted?

If Menendez is convicted and goes to prison, Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., would pick a replacement.
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More: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017...t-to-know.html