New details about a New Jersey Senator's involvement with a local eye doctor whose office was raided last week by the FBI.
Photo: Senator Bob Menendez/Senate.gov
According to a published report in the Washington Post, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was using his powers to help his personal friend, Dr. Salomon Melgen.
The lawmaker reached out to federal officials back in 2009 about the government's audit into Dr melgen. That audit found the doctor overbilled medicare by nearly $9 million. Menendez reportedly complained to the director overseeing medicare payments, claiming it was unfair to penalize the doctor because the billing rules were a"ambiguous."
Senator Menenedez also reportedly urged U.S. officials last year to push the Dominican Republic to carry out a multi-million dollar agreement when Melgen needed help with a port security contract.
There had been reports that Menendez was brought to the Dominican Republic on Melgen's private plane and spent time with underaged prostitutes. That claim has been denied.
