WASHINGTON — Sen. Bob Menendez, under federal investigation for his relationship with a Florida eye doctor and political donor, is expected to face criminal charges in the coming weeks, a person familiar with the matter said Friday.
The person who disclosed the expected filing of charges did so on condition of anonymity because it is a pending investigation.
“Let me be very clear, I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law,” said Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, at a news conference Friday.
Attorney General Eric Holder, in South Carolina with President Barack Obama on Friday, declined to say Friday whether he has authorized criminal charges against the senator.
Menendez has been under a corruption investigation in a long-running probe stemming from his relationship with Dr. Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist as well as a friend and political donor. Questions about Menendez’s ties to Melgen have dogged the senator for more than two years. He has faced questions about trips he took to the Dominican Republic aboard Melgen’s private plane, and he has acknowledged taking actions that could have appeared to benefit Melgen.
