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U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) is shown in this March file photo. The ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Menendez one of the "most corrupt" members of Congress.

(Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez has joined the list of the nation's 13 "most corrupt" members of Congress, according to a report issued today by a watchdog organization, making New Jersey home to two lawmakers with ethical clouds hanging over their heads.

The organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) put Menendez (D-N.J.) on the list this year because of accusations that he did favors for a friend and campaign donor, Salomon Melgen, and accepted rides on his private plane without disclosing them.

Menendez joins U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1st Dist.), who first appeared on the organization's list last year for using campaign funds to pay for a family trip to Scotland — including business class airfare and a stay at a luxury hotel — and other allegedly personal expenses.



"Sadly, friendship is rarely a straightforward proposition when power is involved," Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said in a statement. "Sen. Menendez's relationship with Dr. Melgen is transactional: campaign cash and lavish gifts for the senator, official favors and influence for the businessman."

The Senate Ethics Committee is looking into trips Menendez — a frequent guest at Melgen’s vacation home in the Dominican Republic — took on his private plane that the senator only disclosed and reimbursed him $58,500 after the flights were disclosed.

According to the Washington Post, a federal grand jury is looking into whether Menendez improperly used his position to benefit the business interests of Melgen, an opthamologist with office in West Palm Beach, Fla.

An article in the Post disclosed that Menendez contacted the agency in charge of the federal government's Medicare and Medicaid programs over a billing dispute with Melgen. The New York Times reported that Menendez helped advocate for a port security contract in the Dominican Republican that would benefit Melgen.

Menendez has denied any wrongdoing.

“If Sen. Menendez accepted campaign contributions to his campaign committee, leadership PAC, or legal defense fund, or sought contributions the DSCC, Majority PAC, or the local New Jersey Democratic committees, from Dr. Melgen and his family in exchange for intervening in Dr. Melgen’s Medicare billing dispute with CMS or pressing federal officials to compel the Dominican government to honor the port security contract, Sen. Menendez may have accepted a bribe,” CREW’s report said.

CREW is not merely an observer in the Menendez saga. Last year, the group received emails from an anonymous person who claimed the senator used prostitutes — some underage — while visiting Melgen's house in the Dominican Republic. CREW informed the FBI and ABC News. ABC News could not corroborate the claims. The FBI reportedly has found no evidence to substantiate them and according to reports is investigating their source. After a conservative media outlet aired the prostitution allegations, Sloan publicly expressed doubt about the credibility of the anonymous informant.

Paul Brubaker, a spokesman for Menendez, said CREW — a non-profit organization that is funded through donations — was using the controversy to raise money.

"This is the same old garbage that's been peddled for more than a year now. This smear campaign against the Senator has been soundly discredited and as we have said from the very beginning, any review of the actual facts will confirm his actions were appropriate," Brubaker said. "It's disappointing that CREW -- which itself published false, anonymous, discredited smears -- would now employ them as a fundraising tool."

U.S. Rep Rob Andrews, shown in this 2009 file photo, was named to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's "Most Corrupt" list for the second year.

Andrews’ campaign spending was first disclosed by The Star-Ledger in 2011. The article also showed how theater companies that cast the congressman's daughter , an aspiring actress, also received donations from his campaign.

CREW also included Andrews on the list because he had earmarked funds for Rutgers-Camden , his wife’s employer.

“Rep. Andrews’ repeated misuse of campaign funds is outrageous,” Sloan said. “With the recent sentencing of disgraced former Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Rep. Andrews should be even more worried about the potential consequences he may face for using his campaign account to finance his family’s lavish lifestyle.”

The House Committee on Ethics is currently investigating the allegations after the Office of Congressional Ethics said there was “substantial reason to believe” Andrews broke the law.

Andrews has said his campaign spending was proper. His chief of staff, Fran Tagmire, called CREW "hypocrites."

"CREW is a Washington, DC interest group that takes money from secret donors to finance false and malicious attacks on people, and then refuses to disclose where its money comes from," Tagmire said. "It is telling that CREW refuses to hold itself to the same standards of public disclosure as the people it attacks. Congressman Andrews is working hard every day to serve the people of South Jersey."

RELATED COVERAGE

• Menendez and Melgen: An inside look at how the money and access flowed

• Friend's crisis lands Sen. Menendez in unfavorable spotlight

•House ethics committee forms subcommittee to investigate Andrews

•South Jersey congressman spent $9,000 from campaign funds on donor's wedding

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