Menendez Digs In

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said Friday night he was not "going anywhere" despite reports that the Justice Department is preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against him.

"I fight for these issues and the people of our country every single day," he told reporters, "That’s who I am, and I am not going anywhere."

  The Hill

Yeah, we’ll see about that. The Feds have a way.

The likely charges concern Menendez allegedly using his office to advocate for the interests of donor and friend Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist.

 CNN reported that prosecutors are looking at plane trips that Menendez took as a guest of Melgen's at a villa in the Dominican Republic.

Menendez later paid back $58,000 for the 2010 trips when it became known that he was under investigation. At the time, his office said it was an "oversight" that he had not paid Melgen back for the travel costs.

Just an oversight. Happens all the time. Could happen to anyone. And often does to politicians.

Investigators are also reportedly interested in whether Menendez was using his position to protect Melgen's business interests.

Gee, I wonder.

There are also questions about whether the senator intervened in a billing dispute between Melgen and Medicare officials.

Count three.

A spokeswoman for Menendez on Friday expressed confidence that he will ultimately be cleared of any wrongdoing.

Well, she could be right. But, that’s three wrongdoing accusations he’ll have to get out of. Might be tough. He’s only a Senator. And…

The New Jersey Democrat has been clashing with the Obama administration in recent months over foreign policy. He is fiercely opposed to the White House's decision to normalize relations with Cuba, arguing the move vindicates Fidel Castro’s “brutal behavior,” and has argued for stronger sanctions on Iran.

The senator reportedly faced off with Obama over Iran during a meeting at a Democratic retreat earlier this year.

He may need to be taken down.

On the other hand, he may have three charges against him, but now we see he’s got three things going for him: 1) he’s from New Jersey (can't resist the opportunity to equate New Jersey with the mob); 2) he’s got backing from Cuban exiles in Florida; 3) he’s got Bibi Netanyahu and Israeli supporters on his side.

Should prove interesting.