UPDATE: More recent information, including Menendez's plea of innocence, has been added to this post.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez -- a former Union City mayor who rose to power on the national level and has played a major role in the country's foreign affairs -- is now facing corruption charges for allegedly advocating on behalf of a friend and campaign donor in exchange for luxurious gifts and vacations.

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Should Menendez step down from the Senate?

The Democrat was charged in a 14-count indictment yesterday by the federal Justice Department because of his actions related to Dr. Salomon Melgen, a Florida opthalmologist who is also facing criminal charges, NJ Advance Media (NJAM) reports.

Here's what you need to know about the case:

What are the charges?

Both Menendez and Melgen have been indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of violating the travel act, eight counts of bribery and three counts of honest services fraud. Menendez was also charged with one count of making false statements, NJAM reports.

More specifically, the indictment says Menendez used Melgen's private jets and stayed at luxurious lodgings in the Dominican Republic and Paris on the doctor's tab. Menendez also enjoyed expensive meals and golf outings, NJAM reports, noting that Melgen also made significant financial contributions to Menendez's political campaigns.

In exchange, Menendez allegedly made phone calls to help his friend -- doing everything from helping reinforce a contract for a Melgen-associated company providing cargo screening in the Dominican Republic to advocating for Melgen's three international model girlfriends to get U.S. visas.

So what happens now?

Following the indictment, Menendez has decided to step down as a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He has also since pleaded not guilty to the charges, even painting himself as a victim in the case, NJAM says.

Menendez was once a witness in a federal corruption case -- against his former mentor, Union City Mayor William Musto. (Menendez took the reins right after the scandal.)

Now, the former witness finds himself a defendant. NJAM's Ted Sherman calls it "...a stunning reversal of roles for Menendez who rose from a young reformer fighting a local machine to later become mayor of Union City, the state's first Hispanic member of Congress, and ultimately realizing his life-long dream of becoming a U.S. senator."

Sherman also predicts that the case may be hard to prove, as the line between friendship and bribery can be hard to discern.

What does Menendez have to say?

The senator has maintained that he did nothing wrong. Last night at a press conference, Menendez said prosecutors began the investigation into his close friendship with Melgen because of "false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me.

"But I will not be silenced," he added. "I'm confident that at the end of the day, I will be vindicated, and they will be exposed."

How are local politicians reacting?

Many politicians have since come out in support of Menendez, including U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who called him a "remarkable fighter" for N.J.

See what other Hudson County pols are saying here.

The New Jersey Democratic State Committee even registered Twitter account @IStandwithBob and started a website accepting donations for his defense.

Yesterday, several locals in Union City told NJAM's Kathryn Brenzel that they support their former mayor.

Menendez is far from the first Hudson County politician to face corruption charges. See a list of local pols who've been charged and convicted on corruption counts.