New Jersey senator blasts 'dead wrong' prosecutors hours after being indicted for corruption
AP/Julio Cortez
"For nearly three years, I've lived under a Justice Department cloud. And today I'm outraged that this cloud has not been lifted," Menendez declared. "But I will not be silenced. I'm confident at the end of the day, I will be vindicated and they will be exposed."
The powerful New Jersey Democrat took to the podium at the Newark, New Jersey, press conference to the loud cheers of his supporters, who frequently interrupted his statement with applause. At one point, he asked his boosters to quiet down and let him speak.
Earlier in the day, the Department of Justice announced Menendez had been indicted on 14 counts, including bribery, conspiracy, fraud, and making false statements. Menendez is accused of providing a slew of government favors to one of his top financial supporters, Salomon Melgen, a Florida doctor who was also indicted Wednesday.
But Menendez insisted that his financial ties to Melgen were due to their personal friendship, not a series of bribes.
"I have always conducted myself in accordance with the law," he said. "Prosecutors at the Justice Department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption."
Menendez said he began his career fighting corruption and at one point wore a bullet proof vest and received death threats as a result. "This is not how my career is going to end," he vowed.
The senator also predicted that the Justice Department's prosecutors will decisively lose their case against them.
"They are dead wrong and I am confident that they will be proven so. And I'm gratified to live in a country where prosecutors' mistakes can be corrected by courts and juries," he said. "New Jersey is my home and I intend to continue to fight for it."
He left without taking questions.
Update (7:46 p.m.): Here's the full statement released by Menendez's office after his press conference:
"For nearly three years I've lived under a Justice Department cloud and today I am outraged that this cloud has not been lifted.
"I'm outraged that prosecutors at the Justice Department were tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me, but I will not be silenced. I'm confident - at the end of the day - I will be vindicated and they will be exposed.
"I began my political career - 40 years ago - fighting corruption in city government. I publicly complained about illegal financial dealings in my city until the FBI investigated and the U.S. Attorney filed corruption charges against the mayor and others. I was called to testify for the prosecution. I received death threats. I wore a bulletproof vest for a month. That's how I began my career in public service. And this is not how my career is going to end.
"I have always conducted myself in accordance with the law. I have always stood up for what's right. I fight for the issues I believe in, the people I represent and for safety and security of this country every single day.
"That's who I am and I'm proud of what I have accomplished. And I'm not going anywhere.
"I'm angry and ready to fight because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life.
"I'm angry because prosecutors at the Justice Department don't know the difference between friendship and corruption and have chosen to twist my duties as a Senator --and as a friend -- into something improper.
"They're dead wrong, and I'm confident they will be proven so.
"I am gratified to live in a country where prosecutors' mistakes can be corrected by courts and juries and I ask my friends, colleagues and community to hold their judgment and remember all the other times where prosecutors have gotten it wrong.
"The people of this great state have elected me to serve and represent their interests in the United States Senate and that is exactly what I will do, no matter how long it takes to clear my good name. New Jersey is my home and I will continue to fight for you."
[This post was last updated 7:46 p.m.]
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