Washington, April 2 (RHC)-- Senior U.S. Senator Robert Menendez has been indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption and bribery charges for using his influence to illegally benefit a Florida eye doctor. The U.S. Justice Department has charged Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, with using his office to improperly benefit a friend and major political donor.

Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Dr. Salomon Melgen, are charged with conspiracy, bribery, honest services fraud and violating the travel act. A bribery charge is among the most serious accusations of corruption the federal government can make.

The federal indictment includes allegations that the senator accepted nearly $1 million worth of gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen between 2006 and 2013 in exchange for advocating on the behalf of the doctor, saying the senator "used the prestige, authority and influence of his status as a United States Senator to promote Melgen’s personal and business interests.”

Menéndez, a leading right-wing anti-Cuba, anti-Venezuela lawmaker in the U.S. Congress, has pushed to impose new sanctions on Iran if nuclear negotiators fail to reach to deal.