WASHINGTON — Dr. Salomon Melgen, a friend and campaign donor of indicted U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, was charged Tuesday with fraudently billing the federal government more than $190 million.

The 76-count indictment came just two weeks after Menendez was charged with 14 counts in a federal corruption case for his actions on behalf of Melgen. The doctor was charged with 13 counts in that case.

Melgen is to be arraigned Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Menendez (D-N.J.) had intervened with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on behalf of Melgen, regarding his billing dispute with the government. The Justice Department said Melgen gave the senator gifts, flights and campaign donations in exchange for his help. Menendez has said he was only doing a favor for a friend and will be cleared of all charges.

The indictment charges Melgen, a West Palm Beach ophthalmologist, with falsely diagnosing patients with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and then submitting millions of dollars in bills to the federal government. He also was charged with overbilling the government for the drug used to treat the diseases.

"Medicare was created to ensure adequate protection for the senior citizens against the cost of health care and to ensure that they are provided with quality medical services," said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida. "Medical professionals who violate their oath by failing to attend to the health of their patients and who submit falsified billing statements for their own personal gain, jeopardize the viability of government benefit programs.

In all, Melgen collected more than $105 million, the government said. He was charged Tuesday with 46 counts of health care fraud; 19 counts of making, presenting and filing false, fictitious and fraudulent claims; and 11 counts of making false statements relating to health care.

Menendez spokeswoman Tricia Enright said the senator hadn't seen the indictment, "is not aware of it and it doesn't have anything to do with his case."

Melgen's lawyer, Annie Lyons declined comment to the Associated Press.

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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.