The corruption indictment federal prosecutors released against Sen. Robert Menendez on Wednesday is filled with eye-popping allegations about the senator’s relationship with Florida ophthalmologist and donor Salomon Melgen.
Prosecutors seek to prove the New Jersey Democrat frequently used his office to further Melgen’s business interests in return for lavish gifts. But they also say he did personal favors for Melgen.
1. Visas for “foreign girlfriends”
Prosecutors say on multiple occasions, Menendez used his office to obtain visas for Melgen’s girlfriends.
In 2008, a Menendez staffer allegedly wrote to the State Department to vouch for the student visa application of a Brazilian lawyer, actress and model who was in a relationship with Melgen. Her tuition at the University of Miami, prosecutors say, was being paid by Melgen through his foundation.
Investigators also allege Menendez intervened in 2008 when a Dominican girlfriend of Melgen and her sister had their visas to visit Melgen denied.
“In my view, this is ONLY DUE to the fact that RM intervened,” one Menendez staffer allegedly wrote to another, appearing to reference Robert Menendez. “I’ve told RM.”
Menendez also allegedly helped a third girlfriend of Melgen get a tourist visa to visit him in 2007.
“She visited Miami, where she joined Melgen and Menendez for dinner at Azul, a restaurant at the Mandarin Hotel,” the indictment says. “Melgen introduced Menendez to Girlfriend 3 as the man who helped Girlfriend 3 with her visa.”
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