FBI raids offices of doctor linked to Menendez travel, prostitution allegations
posted at 8:01 am on January 30, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
It seems the FBI still has some interest in the allegations surrounding Senator Bob Menendez and his travel to the Dominican Republic. Late last night, the Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo reported that the FBI conducted a raid on the offices of Dr. Salomon Melgen, who has been linked to allegations that Menendez frequented prostitutes on those trips, with a recent allegation that one or more may have been underage.
FBI agents raided the West Palm Beach business of an eye doctor suspected of providing free trips and even underage Dominican Republic prostitutes to New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez — who has denied what he calls the “fallacious allegations.”
Agents gathered at the medical-office complex of Dr. Salomon Melgen, a contributor to Menendez and other prominent politicians, late Tuesday night to start hauling away potential evidence in about a dozen white vans.
The investigation is believed to be focusing on Melgen’s finances and the allegations about Menendez’s trips and contact with prostitutes. A spokesman for Menendez could not be reached for comment, nor could Melgen.
A later report from the Herald explained about Melgen’s finances in more detail:
Melgen has an outstanding IRS lien of $11.1 million for taxes owed from 2006 to 2009, according to records filed with the Palm Beach County recorder’s office. A previous IRS lien for $6.2 million was released in 2011.
Despite those financial problems, Melgen and his family have contributed at least $357,000 to candidates and committees since 1998, according to Florida and federal campaign records. Of that, the Melgens have contributed about 9 percent to Menendez’s federal campaigns.
As Matthew Boyle at Brietbart notes, Menendez has refused to respond to “fallacious” claims:
This reporter broke the story while writing for TheDC last year, and interviewed two Dominican Republic women in November who claimed Menendez paid them for sex around Easter-time last year. The encounter apparently took place at Casa de Campo, a posh 7,000-acre resort in the Dominican Republic. Each woman told this reporter that Menendez had agreed to pay them $500 for sex but only paid them $100.
Emails published online last week support this reporter’s original accounts by confirming the existence of an FBI investigation. On August 1, 2012, the FBI had opened an inquiry into Menendez’s alleged prostitution solicitation—mainly because one of the prostitutes Menendez allegedly paid for sex was allegedly underage.
On Monday, Breitbart News’ Kerry Picket pressed Menendez on the issue. Menendez told Picket that he wasn’t “going to dignify that story” when she asked for comment.
That led to a truly jaw-dropping spectacle yesterday. As Menendez bailed out of a presser regarding Hurricane Sandy relief funding, Harry Reid lashed out at the Daily Caller for raising the questions in the first place:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid lashed out at The Daily Caller on Tuesday for running a series of stories since November containing allegations that Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez slept with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.
“I always consider the source,” Reid said, referring to TheDC, “and all anyone here has to look at is the source where this comes from. It’s — it’s a source that has brought up a lot of non-issues.” …
“I’ve told you how I feel about the source of this stuff. It’s really very, very typical for the source,” he added, again talking about TheDC.
Er … what? Let’s remind everyone that this is the same Harry Reid who repeatedly insisted that “sources” told him that Mitt Romney was a tax-cheating felon, while Reid insisted that the burden of proof was on Romney to prove himself innocent. No matter how one feels about the Menendez story, Reid has exactly zero standing to complain about allegations and their sourcing. That’s as breathtakingly shameless and hypocritical as it gets.
Furthermore, it’s as bad at timing as you’re likely to see in politics, either. The FBI raid is going to put egg on Reid’s face, and the spotlight on Menendez just as Reid elevates him to the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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F@ck Senile Reed!
KOOLAID2 on May 7, 2013 at 7:23 PM
Harry, we’re comin’ for your seat, man.
vinman on May 7, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Cruz is obviously effective and considered a threat – a Hispanic who “votes wrong.”
BD57 on May 7, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Reid seems very much to be obsessed with Cruz. Cruz must be doing something right getting into Dingy Harry’s head.
hawkeye54 on May 7, 2013 at 7:26 PM
At last, the concept of the Senate as a “gentlemens club” is unraveling.
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 7:27 PM
This is so entertaining.
I swear the next thing that is going to come out of Reid’s mouth “I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for that meddling Cruz”.
gophergirl on May 7, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Yo, Harry, at least I can still get it up...IYKWIMAITYD….
@ ted c
ted c on May 7, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Dag blastit young whippersnapper!!!
itsspideyman on May 7, 2013 at 7:32 PM
BD57 on May 7, 2013 at 7:24 PM
He’s not a ‘hispanic’, he’s a TEXAN!
annoyinglittletwerp on May 7, 2013 at 7:33 PM
In the end…
… gravity always wins.
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2013 at 7:34 PM
Funny, I thought Dingy Harry liked the young ones.
Naturally Curly on May 7, 2013 at 7:35 PM
An acquaintance told me that Harry Reid likes to have sex with 8 year old boys.
And that Reid keeps three of them in a secret room in his house at all times. (They wear out, some times.)
thgrant on May 7, 2013 at 7:35 PM
I wasn’t aware there was a seniority clause in the Constitution.
FU Reid.
jawkneemusic on May 7, 2013 at 7:35 PM
I’m liking this Cruz fellow more and more: upsetting all the right people.
rbj on May 7, 2013 at 7:36 PM
Well, ask him about the touch of the younger kind…
JohnGalt23 on May 7, 2013 at 7:37 PM
Keep at it, Senator Cruz.
You’re giving all the right people the vapors – it’s a badge of honor.
Midas on May 7, 2013 at 7:38 PM
i wonder if someone told reid that cruz didn’t pay his taxes.
phatfawzi on May 7, 2013 at 7:39 PM
Has Harry Reid ever cleared up those troubling allegations of pederasty?
aquaviva on May 7, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Oh, man; that brings back memories of high school, rofl. *sigh* Good times, good times. And what a great band! :)
Midas on May 7, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Killing our own.
Whoever got their shorts in a wedgie over the “obscene anti-Islam” video should have been in the Mideast to see the effect of Senator Reid’s “This war is lost” clip on Al Jazeera and America haters over there.
His comments on the Iraq violence level did not go unnoticed by the bad guys. Yes, Virginia, crooks and enemies watch TV, too.
IlikedAUH2O on May 7, 2013 at 7:41 PM
The liberal media wants to make Cruz the focus.
What is the REAL ‘news’ is how Harry is coming unglued over Cruz.
Reid? Pffft!
Some ‘leader’…
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:42 PM
It’s a gentlemen’s club, unless the phucking dems have something to say. Stroke him out, Cruz. Hate that slimy bastard.
msupertas on May 7, 2013 at 7:46 PM
Trolls, please?
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:46 PM
Cruz has to be loving this. Does Reid actually think he is getting under Cruz’s skin?
Mark1971 on May 7, 2013 at 7:47 PM
Gentlemen don’t say ‘very junior senator’.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:48 PM
The very junior senator from Texas. Lolololol. How about the only foreign born senator. Or the only senator with a green card.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 7:49 PM
Courtly ways of the Senate?
LOL
The “courtly ways” of history meant a lot of political intrigue and backstabbing. Reid has been a nasty piece of work.
I noticed that the NYT inserted Canadian-born in front of Ted Cruz’ name. They’re worried about him alright.
INC on May 7, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Like watching little Israel whoop her bullying neighbors.
Right on Ted!
(oh, cr*p, ran out of popcorn)
KirknBurker on May 7, 2013 at 7:51 PM
How about the ‘senior gentlemen’ be polite to those they call colleagues? Good manners don’t cost anything, do they?
But YOU refuse to grasp that.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:52 PM
HAL…Harry’s Ass Licker
msupertas on May 7, 2013 at 7:52 PM
HAL tends to be frustrated all the time.
There is something very wrong with him. He is incapable of functioning in the real world
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Keep talking Birtherism. I’m sure you’ll be banned before long.
But first:
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 7:55 PM
No offense. Good manners and Cruz do not mix.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Why do you have such an obsessive fixation on Cruz?
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Ask Green Card Cruz. He’s the Canadian.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 7:57 PM
Hotlips and the other trolls are very concerned about Cruz. Word must have gone out from troll central.
slickwillie2001 on May 7, 2013 at 7:57 PM
MUCH younger.
98ZJUSMC on May 7, 2013 at 7:58 PM
Well, that’s another of your lies. You seek all the time to come to offend us all and nothing more.
Cruz doesn’t matter to me. Yet YOU are freaked out over him.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 7:58 PM
Nah, dante is still around.
At first glance I thought the picture was of McCaskill.
Was that an insult to Reid, or Claire?
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 7:59 PM
—————–SAD—————–
Sad little man
Sad little spittle
Sad little attempt
Sad little thing, so old
Sad but bad
Sad but had
Sad but got his bad hand called
Sad but is he all Nevada has
Sad to see
Sad to be
Sad for all
Just sad
Harry,
Ted Cruz is not going to back down.
I will not back down.
The people of Texas who voted Ted Curz in office will not back down.
Good luck.
APACHEWHOKNOWS on May 7, 2013 at 7:59 PM
We can play this game all day if you want.
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Because he is an arrogant political hack. He is one of the main reasons why most Americans hate politicians.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM
You wouldn’t know manners if it bit you where your brains are.
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Liberals can’t grasp common English. So, you’re right.
Something got lost between liberalism and Webster’s Dictionary.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM
*In best Gabby Hayes/Walter Brennan accent* Heeeeeheeeeehehhehhehheeeee, that there Reid feller is a real knee-slapper! 8-yr-old boys be advised.
de rigueur on May 7, 2013 at 8:01 PM
But Reid and good manners do? You do know having your head so far up will cause lack of oxygen to the brain causing……well……you.
msupertas on May 7, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Cruz to me is how Obama is to you.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Harry Reid shaking fist in the air hollers “Get off my lawn you young almost Hispanic kid.”
Corsair on May 7, 2013 at 8:02 PM
When Reid dies he’ll be given a state funeral with all the trimmings and accolades when in reality everybody will know that he was a liar, a thief and a traitor to the nation (he is a lib, after all).
HiJack on May 7, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Tell me the same thing about liberal Democrat politicians — including hacks like YOU — and we might find common ground.
What YOU fail/refuse to grasp is that we Conservatives trust NO politicians. You, on the other hand, fall all over yourself for your precious Obama.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 8:03 PM
But we don’t have to lie about 0bama.
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 8:03 PM
You fluking idiot. You could be talking about Reid.
msupertas on May 7, 2013 at 8:03 PM
I think you mean that there Reid feller. Or that way out there Pelosi feller.
de rigueur on May 7, 2013 at 8:03 PM
You aren’t too smart, are you?
VegasRick on May 7, 2013 at 8:04 PM
So you admit to being an anti-hispanic racist?
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Lololol. I should be banned because I’m pointing out where Cruz was born? Okkkkk
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:05 PM
You will never understand what it is to be Conservative, for you have never been one.
On the other hand, many of we Conservatives have been liberal like you are now, and rejected it.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 8:06 PM
Spreading conspiracy theories = ban.
Cruz is a natural born citizen.
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 8:07 PM
“Get off of my lawn!”,said the senior citize errrrrr, Senator from Nevada.
mpk on May 7, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Wow I am so shocked to learn you hate Obama because his black. Shocked I tell ya.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:07 PM
No, because you told a bigoted lie…again.
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Cruz could wade through your deepest thoughts and not get the top of his toes wet.
And how is it you see Cruz as an unqualified, America-hating agitator-socialist?
Patrick S on May 7, 2013 at 8:08 PM
Ok I will meet you half way. Cruz was born in Texas. Feel better now?
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:08 PM
Wow. Is this the best the libs have for talking points on this guy? Pathetic at best.
VegasRick on May 7, 2013 at 8:09 PM
The difference between us and HAL is that we loathe an incompetent racist, and HAL loathes a competent individual who judges based on character instead of skin color.
Once you realize that Obama and his Party think MLK was an Uncle Tom, their statements all make more sense.
northdallasthirty on May 7, 2013 at 8:09 PM
All I said was he is foreign born and has had a green card. Prove me wrong.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:09 PM
Quit being a side political hack for once. If you presume to come in here and make a point, then try talking to us for once.
Or, do you just pop in to be annoying?
If so, that is NOT political discourse.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 8:10 PM
Congress has an approval rating of what, 8 or 9%? It’s the arrogant political hacks going after Cruz, e.g. Reid, Pelosi, Shumer, McCain, who the public despises. Might want to keep up with current events.
Erich66 on May 7, 2013 at 8:10 PM
Your standard:
You assume opposition is based on race. Ergo, you admit by your own standard to being an anti-hispanic RACIST.
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 8:10 PM
O/T
Sanford 51%-48%
107/317 precincts reporting
msupertas on May 7, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Just another lie from you.
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 8:11 PM
You seem to think that Cruz is just a stupid very junior senator, but it seems that he is out maneuvering the very senior senator from Nevada even though he has 80 years experience in the Senate and is so smart that he can’t pass a budget in 4 years.
Corsair on May 7, 2013 at 8:11 PM
You should feel shame when you cash your $10.00 paycheck from the dnc everyweek. You are way overpaid.
VegasRick on May 7, 2013 at 8:12 PM
You made the accusation liar, the burden of proof is on you.
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Prove you wrong, HAL?
Backward. You have to provide proof for your accusations. Innocent until proven guilty, you know.
But then again, Obama doesn’t know that and failed as a lawyer for that reason, so it’s no surprise you don’t know either.
northdallasthirty on May 7, 2013 at 8:12 PM
And you need to quit taking the side of anyone who is conservative. The man accused me of being a racist because I pointed out Cruz was born in Canada.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Of some note is how far Ted Cruz reaches into liberal nut job world, even a hack troll on Hot Air Blog has its panties in a wad over Ted just like sad sack Reid.
You go Ted.
APACHEWHOKNOWS on May 7, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Good Lord, Nevada, can’t you please vote this dou*he out of office next time? I am so sick of this dude and his inane BS.
sage0925 on May 7, 2013 at 8:13 PM
Actually, HAL, we accused you of being a racist because you screamed and wet your pants that Cruz couldn’t be Hispanic unless he worshiped Obama, like Obama’s meat puppet Bill Richardson said.
And we were right.
northdallasthirty on May 7, 2013 at 8:15 PM
Ok I give up. Cruz was born in Texas.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Too funny. In lib ville you are allowed to throw monkey shit out there and the recipient is supposed to like it.
Remember Reid’s imaginary illegal friend “Tommy” and his sources that said Romney had not paid his taxes? You don’t?
arnold ziffel on May 7, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Why do people argue with HotAirLib? The guy doesn’t have the first idea of what freedom and liberty means. No lib does. It’s always take from some and give to others. It’s always denying the truth if it hurts their ideology. It’s always hate, hate, hate and division, division, division. RFK they are not nor will every be. They are ALL Obamabots. Screw ‘em.
HiJack on May 7, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Cruz was born in Canada: Fact. He is also a natural born citizen.
The racist implication is based on your standard that all oppostion to Obama is racist.
Going by YOUR standard, all oppostion to Cruz must therefore be racist.
nobar on May 7, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Laugh out loud out loud out loud out loud?
/signed: Department of Redundancy Department.
There Goes the Neighborhood on May 7, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Their fear of Sen Cruz is music to patriots ears.
Sing HAL sing loud and proud.
You’re an idiot. But you know that.
D-fusit on May 7, 2013 at 8:18 PM
It just won’t go away – damn gnat
gophergirl on May 7, 2013 at 8:19 PM
Lol. What do you even know about being Hispanic? Apart from the fact that you think most of them are illegals looking to become citizens in order to become gubmit parasites.
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:20 PM
It’s awesome. Hopefully he inspires others to follow his lead.
gophergirl on May 7, 2013 at 8:20 PM
I’m not interested in Cruz. YOU are the only one with a fetish over the guy.
Like I earlier said, YOU have no clue at all about Conservatism.
I’m not Conservative because of some other fellow. That false assumption, on your part, is like me saying I went liberal because of YOU. And YOU are the last person I would want or use were I to go liberal.
YOU are a total detriment to your own cause, to your own side.
I’m a Conservative by personal belief. I’m with fellow Conservatives to be among friends.
Like I said, YOU are incapable of understanding Conservatism. Yet you DARE presume to come here and lecture us?
Pffft!
You don’t even grasp your own liberalism.
Liam on May 7, 2013 at 8:21 PM
This was obvious trolling, and lying, just to fling poo.
A violation of any terms of service.
cozmo on May 7, 2013 at 8:21 PM
Projects much. I guess we have another progtard looking at his guys while trying to describes Cruz.
He is talking about Dingy Harry. Not to mention almost every other Dem hack, but then I’m being redundant. His handle is certainly appropriate. A lib full of hot air describes him/her quite well.
Quartermaster on May 7, 2013 at 8:22 PM
original!, i see use the same tactics as your boy. ‘Someone told me romney didn’t pay any taxes, prove me wrong.” Is Reid your dad?
phatfawzi on May 7, 2013 at 8:22 PM
As usual, you were the first to bring race into the conversation. All I said was that the man was born in Canada and probably still has a copy of his green card stashed somewhere. His citizenship can be revoked. Unlike those of us born in the good ol US of A
HotAirLib on May 7, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Which school did you gratuate from? Was it Harvard or Yale?
*partisan
VegasRick on May 7, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Lets call this what it is. This is a man trying to intimidate his opponent rather than engage him in a fair debate. Where were the other Repubs while this was going on? I’m sick and tired of our best and bravest being left to twist in the wind by our RINO squishes!
neyney on May 7, 2013 at 8:23 PM
But but but it wants to debate and we are just being “mean”.
gophergirl on May 7, 2013 at 8:24 PM
Harry Reid, the very f*cking old man who is the poster child for euthanasia.
john1schn on May 7, 2013 at 8:24 PM
The senile old fool should be kicked out.
GarandFan on May 7, 2013 at 8:24 PM
And that they celebrate Cinco de Cuatro.
de rigueur on May 7, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Not until he becomes the minority leader.
Pelosi giving up the gavel was fun. Him losing all power will be freaking fantastic.
gophergirl on May 7, 2013 at 8:27 PM
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