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U.S. NEWS Thursday 7 sepTember 2017
Prosecutors: Sen. Menendez ‘sold his office’ for ritzy trips

reer and potentially alter Menendez attended a
the makeup of a deeply rally of about 100 people
divided U.S. Senate if he’s outside a federal immigra-
convicted. tion building next to the
If he is expelled or steps courthouse to protest Re-
down before Gov. Chris publican President Donald
Christie leaves office Jan. Trump’s decision to end
16, the Republican would deportation protection for
pick Menendez’s succes- young immigrants living in
sor. the country illegally.
A Democrat has a large “We can keep the dream
polling and financial ad- alive,” he told the crowd
vantage in November’s through a megaphone.
election to replace Chris- “You are not alone.”
tie. During the government’s
Menendez said before opening statement, Justice
entering the courthouse Department attorney Peter
Wednesday: “Not once Koski described Menendez
have I dishonored my pub- pressuring government of-
lic office.” ficials to help Melgen with
Menendez has kept up a securing visas for his foreign
busy public appearance girlfriends and intervening
Sen. Bob Menendez, center, arrives with his children, Alicia Menendez and Robert Menendez Jr., schedule while under in- in a lucrative port security
to court for his federal corruption trial in Newark, N.J., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. The trial will ex- dictment, and that didn’t contract in the Dominican
amine whether he lobbied for Florida ophthalmologist Dr. Salomon Melgen’s business interests in
exchange for political donations and gifts. Both have pleaded not guilty. change Wednesday. Republic and a multimillion-
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) After court adjourned, dollar Medicare dispute. q
By DAVID PORTER dez’s longtime friend,
Associated Press didn’t equate to a bribery
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — U.S. agreement.
Sen. Bob Menendez “sold Menendez’s meetings with
his office for a lifestyle he government officials —
couldn’t afford” by accept- though they could have
ing luxury trips and other fa- aided Melgen’s business
vors from a wealthy doctor interests — were “what
seeking political influence, members of Congress do”
a government prosecutor and were meant to influ-
told jurors Wednesday dur- ence future policy, attor-
ing opening statements of ney Abbe Lowell said.
the Democrat’s corruption Menendez and Melgen
trial. were indicted in 2015
Menendez’s attorney re- and face multiple fraud
sponded that gifts from and bribery charges in a
Florida ophthalmologist case that could threaten
Salomon Melgen, Menen- Menendez’s political ca-

15 states, DC suing Trump

administration over DACA

By LARRY NEUMEISTER oft-stated commitments
GENE JOHNSON ... to punish and dispar-
Associated Press age people with Mexican
NEW YORK (AP) — Fifteen roots.”
states and the District of The attorneys general who
Columbia sued the U.S. brought the lawsuit — all
government Wednesday Democrats — represent
to block President Donald states where the popula-
Trump’s plan to end pro- tion of DACA participants
tection against deporta- — known as “dreamers”
tion for young immigrants — ranges from hundreds
who New York’s attorney to tens of thousands. They
general labeled the “best were brought to the U.S. il-
of America.”The lawsuit legally as children or came
filed in federal court in with families who over-
Brooklyn asked a judge to stayed visas.
strike down as unconstitu- Trump’s plan is “cruel,
tional the president’s ac- shortsighted, inhumane”
tion involving the Deferred and driven by a personal
Action for Childhood Arriv- bias against Mexicans and
als program, or DACA. Latinos, New York Attorney
It called the move “a culmi- General Eric T. Schneider-
nation of President Trump’s man said.q