"Menendez bill could have helped donor’s investment
WASHINGTON — Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, sponsored legislation with incentives for natural gas vehicle conversions that would benefit the biggest political donor to his reelection, the same eye doctor whose private jet Menendez used for two personal trips to the Dominican Republic, according to an Associated Press investigation.
The finding reflects the latest intersection between Menendez, who is the subject of an ethics inquiry, and the Florida doctor involved in a federal criminal investigation.
Dr. Salomon Melgen invested in Gaseous Fuel Systems Corp. of Weston, Fla., and joined its board of directors in early 2010, according to the company’s chief executive and a former company consultant. GFS, as the company is known, designs, manufactures, and sells products to convert diesel fuel fleets to natural gas.
The amount of Melgen’s investment is confidential under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, but a 2009 document filed with the SEC showed the company required a minimum individual investment at that time of $51,500.
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Related: Sex Abuser Was Senate Aide
Bob must be fully on board via blackmail because the underaged prostitute scandal has gone down the memory hole (always available to be recalled).
UPDATE:
"Grand jury investigates senator’s ties to wealthy donor" Associated Press, March 16, 2013
WASHINGTON — Senator Robert Menendez is being investigated by a Miami federal grand jury for his role in advocating for the business interests of a wealthy donor and friend.
The Washington Post, which first reported the investigation, said agents have questioned witnesses about the interactions between Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, and Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen.
The grand jury issued subpoenas for Melgen’s business and financial records.
A spokeswoman for Menendez, Tricia Enright, did not respond to a question about whether the senator is under investigation but issued a statement saying, “We welcome any review because Senator Menendez’s actions have always been appropriate.”
Federal agents have not contacted Menendez, a person told the Post. The newspaper said Melgen declined to say Thursday whether he knew anything about the investigation, but he said any inquiry would find no wrongdoing.
Melgen attorney Kirk Ogrosky said the eye doctor was proud of his relationship with the senator and had no worries.
Menendez and Melgen’s overlapping interests have repeatedly raised questions in recent months. Menendez was compelled to reimburse $58,000 for two flights to the Dominican Republic aboard Melgen’s private jet for personal trips in 2010 that he previously had failed to report, prompting scrutiny by the Senate Ethics Committee.
Menendez also has acknowledged contacting US health agencies to question their billing practices and policies amid a dispute between Melgen and federal authorities.
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