Sen. Bob judge questions fed case

The federal judge in the bribery trial of Sen. Robert Menendez and the New Jersey lawmaker’s wealthy doctor friend delayed ruling Wednesday on whether to grant the defense’s motion to dismiss the charges against them, but in doing so he appeared to indicate he has doubts about the government’s case.

During more than three hours of arguments after the prosecution rested, Newark federal Judge William Walls expressed reservations about whether prosecutors have shown direct links between alleged bribes by Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen and meetings and other interactions Menendez, a Democrat, had with government officials, allegedly to advance Melgen’s business interests.

The indictment alleges Melgen plied Menendez over several years with gifts that included free flights to the Dominican Republic on his private jet and stays at luxury hotels.

Prosecutors claim those were bribes under what is known as the stream-of-benefits theory, in which Melgen essentially kept Menendez (right) on retainer and asked him for favors “as opportunities arose.”

“I’m trying to find out how you link the quid to the alleged quo and vice versa,” Walls said to prosecutors.

But Walls indicated he would leave intact one count against Menendez of making false statements.