Minn. lawmaker to return contributions from indicted senator

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Minnesota senator will return campaign contributions she received from her newly indicted colleague, New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, a campaign aide to the Minnesota lawmaker said Wednesday.

The aide, Justin Buoen, said Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar will also return contributions she received from Dr. Salomon Melgen, a Menendez friend and donor.

Menendez, another Democrat, is accused of performing political favors for Melgen, who was also indicted Wednesday, in exchange for almost $1 million worth of gifts and campaign contributions. Menendez said he will fight the charges.

“Our campaign has never received questions from federal authorities about these contributions,” Buoen said in a written statement. “The campaign is returning the contributions and will also be returning the contributions received from Senator Menendez’s PAC,” or political action committee.

Klobuchar matches the description of a lawmaker called “Senator 1″ in the indictment.

The indictment says Menendez and Senator 1 agreed to raise $25,000 for each other during their successful 2012 re-relection campaigns. It says Melgen and his wife ended up contributing $8,000 to Senator 1. Federal Election Commission records show Klobuchar received that amount from the Melgens.

Senator 1 is not accused of wrongdoing.

Klobuchar, 54, is a former prosecutor first elected to the Senate in 2006.

Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report.

Category: Daily Witness, National