WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Robert Menendez is acknowledging his office contacted U.S. health agencies in a way that would help his biggest political donor, the same doctor whose private jet Menendez used for two personal trips to the Dominican Republic.
But the senator denies he sought to intervene improperly in billing disputes between the doctor and the government.
Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, says Thursday he contacted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ask about billing practices. This was during a dispute between CMS and Salomon Melgen, a longtime friend and donor. The FBI searched Melgen's Florida offices last week.
Menendez says, "The bottom line is, we raised concerns with CMS over policy and over ambiguities that are difficult for medical providers to understand, and to seek a clarification."
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:33:31 GMT
The winning numbers in a near-historic Powerball jackpot were announced Saturday night. The numbers drawn Saturday are: 22, 10, 13, 14, 52 and a Powerball of 11.
The winning numbers in a near-historic Powerball jackpot were announced Saturday night. The numbers drawn Saturday are: 22, 10, 13, 14, 52 and a Powerball of 11.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:14:35 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:33:09 GMT
A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed and his father was wounded on a Jersey City street Friday night. Police say Gywan Levine Jr. and his father, Gywan Levine Sr., were walking on Rutgers Avenue
A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed and his father was wounded on a Jersey City street Friday night. Police say Gywan Levine Jr. and his father, Gywan Levine Sr., were walking on Rutgers Avenue
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Friday, May 17 2013 2:13 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:13:33 GMT
An Internet celebrity known on Facebook and YouTube as "Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" was arrested in connection with the killing of an elderly Clark, N.J., man.
An Internet celebrity known on Facebook and YouTube as "Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" was arrested in connection with the killing of an elderly Clark, N.J., man.
Friday, May 17 2013 12:39 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:39:46 GMT
A couple was found shot dead inside a park in Montclair, N.J.
A couple was found shot dead inside a park in Montclair, N.J. Police say they were responding to calls about shots fired when they discovered the bodies of Shanae Q. Howard, 24, of Orange and Brandon Brown, 26, of Montclair. The couple were found near a bench in Canterbury Park at around 10 p.m. on Thursday. A weapon was recovered at the scene.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:05 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:05:50 GMT
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
