The LA Times reports the controversy swirling around Melendez:
The Justice Department is likely to file criminal charges against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) for allegedly using his office to help a contributor, according to two sources familiar with the case.
Menendez has been the subject of an investigation for two years centering on his relationship with Dr. Salomon Melgen, a South Florida ophthalmologist.
The Times explains some of the reasons Menendez is facing such scrutiny:
Menendez acknowledged in 2013 that he flew on Melgen’s jet without reporting the flights as gifts on a financial disclosure form, calling it an “oversight.” After media reports and ethics complaints, Menendez wrote Melgen a check for $58,500 to cover the cost of the flights.
When asked about the allegations against Menendez, Reid praised his fellow Democrat and dodged the question.
[youtube url = "https://youtu.be/oVHYsWqAEmM"]
First of all, Bob Menendez is my friend, he’s an outstanding senator. He’s now the new chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. Any questions in this regard, direct to him. I don’t know anything about it.
According to Politico’s John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, it’ll be hard for Reid to dodge these questions much longer.
[tweet src = "https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/574969659490967552"]
This new scandal is yet another headache for Harry Reid, who is no stranger to controversy.