How bad is the Menendez Indictment?

New Jersey Senator. Robert Menendez pleaded not guilty on Thursday to 14 criminal charges against him . Among these charges were eight counts of bribery with Florida ophthalmologist Saloman Melgen. In a defiant statement Menendez said

“They don’t know the difference between friendship and corruption and have chosen to twist my duties as a senator and my friendship into something that is improper,”

Another accusation against Senator Menendez is that he intervened on behalf of Melgen’s three girlfriends when it came to their Visa applications . Menendez denied those charges as well. The other alleged bribes involved nearly $1 million in trips, political contributions and other perks.
Despite the payment for services as alleged by the Justice Department, Menendez and Melgen have been good friendsfor decades, which Menendez says will make it challenging to successfully prosecute the two men. Menendez attorney Abbe David Lowell said in a statement

“Prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a 20-year relationship between doctor Melgen and Senator Menendez was something else.”

One of the indictments outlines travel for seven trips Menendez took that Melgen paid for, usually on Melgen’s private jet. The flights largely brought Menendez from New Jersey and Washington down to the Dominican Republic.
So how bad are these charges against Senator Menendez? Menendez is clinging to the argument that he didn’t give Melgen anything in return , and that his good friends was just helping him out . However if it appears that Dr Melgen did receive these perks from Senator Menendez in exchange , it can end very badly for Senator Menendez.