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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