Menendez spent up to 87 percent of his own wealth paying back donor for flights

So Menendez’s decision last month to use his personal funds to reimburse a prominent political contributor $58,500 for two flights to the Dominican Republic came at a major cost. The repayment amounts to between 32 percent and 87 percent of the assets Menendez reported holding in bank accounts and stock, according to his latest financial-disclosure form, which was filed last year.

Menendez repaid Florida eye doctor and political donor Salomon Melgen only after his free flights aboard Melgen’s plane became public and the subject of a Senate ethics complaint. A local New Jersey Republican group filed a complaint last November, alleging the senator had broken Senate rules by “repeatedly flying on a private jet to the Dominican Republic, and other locations.” Menendez reimbursed Melgen the $58,500 two months later, on Jan. 4, according to his office. …

As Menendez has accumulated political power, however, he has not accumulated great wealth. …

It would appear to be a comfortable enough living, especially with a senator’s annual $174,000 salary. But not so comfortable that cutting a $58,500 check couldn’t have a profound impact.