New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday addressed the on-going scandal surrounding his friend and major Democratic donor Dr. Salomon Melgen saying he has not been interviewed by federal authorities.
“We welcome any review by any entity because at the end of the day we know that a review will prove that we have acted appropriately at all times,” Menendez, a Democrat, told Chuck Todd in an exclusive interview with The Daily Rundown.
Melgen, who has donated over $700,000 to various Democratic groups and campaigns, including Menendez’s, is currently under investigation for allegedly fraudulent Medicare billing. According to a report by the Washington Post, investigators are also examining Menendez’s role in advocating on behalf of Melgen in a port-security contract with the Dominican Republic and with federal health care officials over the medical billing.
When asked if he acted above and beyond how he normally would for other constituents, Menendez said he acted appropriately.
“We have all types of constituents, both in New Jersey and from across the country who bring us issues,” said Menendez. “We look at those issues, we make a determination as to whether or not those issues have legitimacy, and then we make a decision to pursue it ourselves if we think that the issue has legitimacy. in this case as in every other case, that’s the road that we followed. it’s the same road for everyone.”
Xuan Thai