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The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, has been indicted in connection with an alleged bribery scheme.

Menendez, 61, and a friend, Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, were indicted Wednesday on one count of conspiracy, one count of violating the travel act, eight counts of bribery and three counts of honest services fraud. Menendez was also charged with one count of making false statements.

The indictment came after federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation had investigated Menendez for years on suspicion of corruption.

Allegations in the indictment say that Menendez accepted close to $1 million worth of lavish gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for using the power of his Senate office to influence ongoing Medicare billing disputes Melgen was involved in and to support the visa applications of several of Melgen's girlfriends.

Senator Menendez has repeatedly said that he is innocent of any wrongdoing and that he "is not going anywhere" - meaning he has no plans to resign from the Senate. Senate rules do not require him to step down unless he is convicted of the charges against him.

At a late afternoon news conference in his home state Wednesday, the New Jersey senator predicted he will be vindicated. He said he is "ready to fight" the corruption charges against him.

Menendez is scheduled to appear in court in Newark, New Jersey Thursday.

Differences with Obama

Menendez, a Cuban-American, served as Foreign Relations Committee chairman until January, when Republicans took majority control of the Senate. He is now the ranking Democrat on the committee and has taken a strong stand against President Barack Obama, a fellow Democrat, on some issues.

Menendez has been a vocal critic of a possible deal with Iran on nuclear weapons, and he also criticized the president for his unexpected policy of relaxing some restrictions on Cuba. But he has been a strong supporter of the president on immigration reform.

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US Senator Menendez Indicted for Corruption

Indiana Democrat Scott Pelath Embarrassed By His Own State
State Democrats are working to repeal anti-LGBT law. --- NowThisNews is the rst and only video news network built for people who love their phones and love social media. Follow NowThis...

By: NowThis

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Indiana Democrat Scott Pelath Embarrassed By His Own State - Video

"I believe that the Bangkok governor did not have any intention to cause discontent among people," Abhisit said on the party's official Facebook page.

"As leader of the Democrat Party that fielded Sukhumbhand in the Bangkok election, I would like to apologise for what the governor said that may have made many people unhappy," he said.

Sukhumbhand held a press conference last week after the flooding, caused by an unseasonable downpour. His comments came after a reporter asked about the flood scenario in the future.

"I am not an angel who can predict that [the weather]. I would be willing to answer if I were one," Sukhumbhand said.

The Democrat Party leader expressed his apology in a reconciliatory manner, saying the governor lost his temper because of stress caused by the situation.

"I fully understand that it is not an easy task to solve this problem and that the Bangkok governor might [have felt] tired and stressed when the problem occurred. However, a politician who volunteers to devote himself to serve the public has a duty to work and exercise his utmost restraint vis-a-vis obstacles and questions from media," Abhisit said.

In his note, the Democrat leader went on to thank Bangkokians for voicing confidence in Sukhumbhand, a senior member of the same party. He said the governor would continue to serve Bangkok residents - and be more careful when addressing the public.

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Abhisit apologises for Sukhumbhand's remarks over floods

"I believe that the Bangkok Governor did not have any intention to cause discontent among people," Abhisit said on the party's official Facebook page.

"As leader of the Democrat Party that fielded Sukhumbhand in the Bangkok election, I would like to apologise for what the governor said that may have made many people unhappy," he said.

Sukhumbhand held a press conference last week after the flooding, caused by an unseasonal downpour. His comments came after a reporter asked about the flood scenario in the future.

"I am not an angel who can predict that [the weather]. I would be willing to answer if I were one," Sukhumbhand said.

The Democrat Party leader expressed his apology in a reconciliatory manner, saying the governor lost his temper due to stress caused by the situation.

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Abhisit apologises for remarks by Bangkok governor

Liberal Democrat Scotland spokesperson Alistair Carmichael today (31 March 2015) challenged other parties to match Liberal Democrat funding ambitions for Scotlands NHS as he joined Gordon candidate Christine Jardine on the campaign trail in the North East.

Speaking after meeting staff at a local business, Mr Carmichael said that the 800 million per year coming to Scotland under Liberal Democrat plans would particularly benefit health boards like NHS Grampian which have been short changed by the SNP.

Hospitals in the North East have been historically underfunded, with the current SNP government coming under criticism from the Liberal Democrats again this year for short-changing NHS Grampian to the tune of 17m.

Speaking today, Mr Carmichael said that the General Election is a golden opportunity to secure better healthcare with Lib Dem plans to fully fund the NHS across the UK.

Mr Carmichael said:

The General Election presents us with a golden opportunity to secure better healthcare for Scotland.

"The SNP in the Scottish Government have taken their eye off the ball on day to day health services to focus on their independence plan. As a result, cancer waiting times targets have been missed, hospitals have faced a beds shortage and Accident and Emergency units went into crisis. It can be argued that the North East has felt the impact of this neglect hardest.

"In the last year alone NHS Grampian has been short changed to the tune of 17m. If we are to build a fairer society, that needs to change. Liberal Democrat plans to balance the books by 2018 will help ensure that we could deliver an extra 800 million to the Scottish NHS every year. Health boards like Grampian which have been short changed would stand to benefit from this increasing funding.

The Tories' drastic cuts will put the burden of finding extra money on the NHS itself. Labours spending plans will not give doctors or nurses the support they need and by borrowing more and putting the economy at risk the SNP would threaten public sector funding across the board.

My challenge to the other parties in Scotland is this - will you match our ambition for the health service and gave doctors and nurses the support they need, and tell us how you plan to fund it?

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Carmichael challenges other parties to match Lib Dem NHS funding ambitions