Senator Menendez Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption Charges

Menendez, a Democrat, was charged on Wednesday with accepting up to $1 million worth of lavish gifts from Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist, in exchange for political favors.

Melgen also entered a not guilty plea and was released on $1.5 million bond, Reuters reported.

Neither man spoke during the appearance in a Newark, New Jersey, courtroom. Menendez, in a blue pin-striped suit, rested his arms on the table in front of him as he listened to the hearing, which lasted less than an hour.

Menendez stood next to his attorney, Abbe Lowell, who entered not-guilty pleas for him on 14 corruption counts. Melgen followed, pleading not guilty through his attorney on all counts.

The federal indictment said Melgen improperly gave Menendez flights on private jets, use of a Caribbean villa, a stay at a luxury hotel in Paris and tens of thousands of dollars to a legal defense fund.

In return, Menendez used the power of his Senate office to try to influence the outcome of Medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions of dollars to Melgen, the indictment said.

Following the court appearance, Menendez, now in his second Senate term, maintained his innocence and lashed out at federal prosecutors.

"For nearly three years the Justice Department has pursued allegations based on smears brought by political opponents," Menendez said. "Now they have laid out their case, we will finally have an opportunity to respond, on the record, in court, with the facts."

Even if he eventually is cleared, Menendez has seen his political influence plummet. On Wednesday, Menendez agreed to temporarily step aside as senior Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.