MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — Upon hearing the news that Senator Bob Menendez’s co-defendant, “best friend,” and biggest campaign donor, Sal Melgen, had his motion for a new trial denied today, U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin’s campaign released the following statement:

“We applaud Judge Marra’s decision to ensure that Sal Melgen is held accountable for his crimes,” said Hugin Communications Director Megan Piwowar. “Now it’s time for Bob Menendez to be held accountable, too. Menendez violated federal law by taking $1 million in illegal gifts and abused his office to intervene in the Obama Justice Department’s investigation into Melgen’s Medicare fraud scheme. Menendez is refusing to amend his financial disclosure and pay back Melgen’s dirty money as ordered by the bipartisan Senate Ethics Committee. When is Menendez going to comply? It’s time for him to come clean and pay up.”

• “The Court finds that Defendant has not demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that he is not a flight risk,” Marra wrote. “Although Defendant complied with the conditions of pretrial release before the verdict was rendered, circumstances have changed significantly with his conviction. In view of the length of Defendant’s sentence and his age, there is great incentive for Defendant to flee.”(Matt Friedman, Politico, Judge denies Melgen bail, new trial as he awaits appeal, 07/30/2018)

• Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, the friend of Sen. Bob Menendez who was his co-defendant in the federal government’s unsuccessful corruption case, will stay locked up as he appeals a separate conviction for Medicaid fraud. (Matt Friedman, Politico, Judge denies Melgen bail, new trial as he awaits appeal, 07/30/2018)

Bob Hugin, a Marine Corps Veteran and business leader who has created thousands of New Jersey jobs, is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Senator Bob Menendez. For more information visit bobhugin.com.