Democrats are abandoning New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez in the wake of his federal indictment in a corruption scheme involving his wife and local businessmen.
The indictment accuses Menendez of accepting "hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in exchange for using" his power and influence to enrich him, his co-defendants and the government of Egypt.
The Justice Department alleges Sen. Bob Menendez accepted gifts from a friend including flights, trips to France and the Dominican Republic, and large political contributions.
Eighteen charges remain against Menendez and an eye doctor, Salomon Melgen. The men are accused of engaging in a bribery scheme involving lavish trips and political campaigns.
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., is pushing back against Department of Justice charges of corruption. In filings Thursday night, his legal team tried to poke holes in the government's evidence.
The Justice Department indicted the New Jersey Democrat just two months ago on bribery and conspiracy charges. But lawyers in the case already seem to be getting under each other's skin.