US senator in court over luxury travel bribe charges

WASHINGTON: A senior US politician went on trial for corruption Wednesday over allegations he accepted bribes of private jet f lights, luxury vacations and over US$ 750,000 in campaign donations.

Prosecutors claim Democrat Robert Menendez, 63, used his position as New Jersey senator to pursue the interests of wealthy Florida businessman and ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen.

In return, they say he enjoyed gifts including stays in Melgen’s Dominican Republic villa and the Park Hyatt Paris-Vend me hotel, as well as lavish meals and golf outings.

These were allegedly in exchange for favors such as helping a security company owned by Melgen win a lucrative contract with the Dominican Republic’s customs department.

Menendez is also said to have helped Melgen’s Brazilian, Dominican and Ukrainian girlfriends obtain US visas, and assisted Melgen himself in settling a dispute with the US authorities.

He faces 14 charges including conspiracy and eight counts of bribery between 2006 and 2013, which he denies.

“Not once have I dishonored my public office,” Menendez said as he arrived at the federal court in Newark, New Jersey.

The trial, which could last up to two months according to Politico, could have significant political ramifications for the Senate, where Republicans control 52 seats and the Democrats 48.

If found guilty, Menendez could face extreme pressure to resign. The last seNator to be convicted of corruption, New Jersey Democrat Harrison Williams in 1981, was threatened with expulsion before resigning in 1982. — AFP