WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s hard to limit a rich and willing donor’s ability to ingratiate himself with members of Congress, as prosecutors showed this week in their charges against Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.
Lawmakers in both parties sometimes legally use a supporter’s generosity to spread donations to colleagues.
A small part of the 68-page indictment describes how Menendez’s big donor, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, agreed to do more after giving Menendez’s campaign the legal limit in 2012. At Menendez’s request, the document says, Melgen and his wife gave $8,000 to the campaign of a senator later identified as Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
An email from Menendez’s campaign said Klobuchar “raised $25,000 for our campaign, and now we are returning the favor,” the indictment states.
Although such requested donations are legal and fairly common, Klobuchar’s staff said she will return campaign contributions from Melgen and Menendez.