Senator Robert Menendez, D-N.J., has repeatedly denied allegations that he solicited underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic, but the Justice Department said Monday that those allegations have now been corroborated by additional evidence.
The DOJ detailed its uncharged prostitution allegations in a 65-page court document filed Monday evening in response to Menendez's attempt to overturn separate bribery charges. Prosecutors said they began investigating trips taken to the Dominican Republic by Menendez with Democratic party mega-donor and eye doctor Salomon Melgen after they were made aware of "serious and specific allegations involving child prostitution," reported to U.S. News & World Report.
"While those allegations have not resulted in any criminal charges, there can be no question that the Government has an obligation to take such allegations regarding potential harm to minors very seriously, regardless of who the alleged perpetrators may be," the filing says.
"Presented with specific, corroborated allegations that defendants Menendez and Melgen had sex with underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic, the Government responsibly and dutifully investigated those serious allegations. The indictment here, of course, charges only corruption and does not include any allegations of soliciting underage prostitution."
Prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic for anyone over the age of 18, and the U.S. cannot prosecute anyone on sex tourism charges unless it can be proven that the prostitute solicited was underage and that the hypothetical perpetrator traveled with the intention of having sex with minors, according to Breitbart.
The DOJ indicted Menendez in April on separate bribery charges, alleging he used his political influence to advance Melgen's business interests in exchange for luxury gifts, expensive vacations and more than $750,000 in campaign contributions, reported The Washington Post. He was also accused of intervening to help three of Melgen's girlfriends obtain U.S. visas.
Menendez pleaded not guilty to 14 federal corruption charges and accused the DOJ of not knowing the "difference between friendship and corruption" and choosing to "twist my duties as a senator and my friendship into something that is improper," according to CNN.
Menendez's legal team has been trying to get the corruption charges dismissed, but the DOJ said in its response Monday that the "quid pro quo outlined in the indictment is clear and unmistakable," reported The Hill.
"The charges in this case are the result of a careful and professional investigation," federal prosecutors said. The DOJ added that Menendez's arguments "rest upon false factual premises and specious legal reasoning, which serve only to undermine the credibility of their claims and demonstrate their eagerness to avoid a trial on the merits. ... [And] the defendants' lack of candor demonstrates that they are so eager to allege misconduct that they are willing to misrepresent the facts and conceal material evidence in order to do so."
