The federal corruption trial of New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez begins Wednesday in Newark.
Menendez is accused of doing political favors in exchange for money and lavish gifts. Those gifts allegedly included rides on a private jet and vacations in the Caribbean and Paris.
The Democratic Senator argues that he was just trying to help a friend, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen. Melgen was convicted in a separate case earlier this year.
Menendez has denied any wrongdoing.
If convicted and removed from the Senate, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie would appoint a replacement. The appointee would likely be a Republican, strengthening the party’s majority in the Senate.
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