Menendez pleads not guilty

N.J. senator allegedly accepted gifts

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he accepted nearly $1 million in gifts and campaign contributions from a longtime friend in exchange for a stream of political favors, and his lawyer compared the case to the government’s failed prosecutions of former Alaska senator Ted Stevens and former North Carolina senator John Edwards.

Menendez’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, entered the plea on his behalf before a federal judge in Newark, one day after Menendez promised to be vindicated and declared that he’s “not going anywhere.”

“Prosecutors at the Justice Department often get it wrong. These charges are the latest instance of that,” Lowell said.

“Because this (friendship) was real and not a corrupt relationship and because Sen. Menendez’s actions were proper, this case, too, will become another of those mistaken cases that should have never been brought.”

Stevens, R-Alaska, was indicted in 2008 on charges of not reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of home renovations. Stevens was found guilty but the Justice Department later dismissed the case and said prosecutors withheld evidence that would have been favorable to the defense.

Edwards, D-North Carolina, was charged with campaign contribution violations in 2011, but was found not guilty on one count and a mistrial was declared on five others.

The indictment against Menendez alleges he used the power of his Senate seat to benefit Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida eye doctor who prosecutors say provided the senator with luxury vacations, airline travel, golf trips and tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to a legal defense fund.

Melgen also entered a not guilty plea, and Judge William Walls set a tentative July 13 trial date for both men.

Menendez was released without bail. Melgen was released after posting $1.5 million bond. Walls ordered Menendez to turn over his personal passport, but he can still travel on his official passport on Senate business.

Lowell tried to argue that Menendez should be given special consideration because of his position. “He’s not any other defendant,” he said.

Menendez said in a brief statement to reporters that after a three-year investigation, he looks forward to responding to the allegations in court.