US Hispanic senator pleads not guilty to corruption charges

US Senator Robert Menendez has pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges at his arraignment in federal court in Newark, New Jersey.

The New Jersey Democrat's attorney, Abbe Lowell told Judge William Walls on Thursday that Menendez was entering a not-guilty plea for each of the 14 counts filed against him, including eight for bribery and three for honest services fraud, Efe news agency reported.

Menendez "accepted close to $1 million worth of lavish gifts and campaign contributions" from Salomon Melgen, a Dominican-born Florida ophthalmologist, the Justice Department said Wednesday.

In exchange, the lawmaker used "the power of his Senate office to influence the outcome of ongoing contractual and Medicare billing disputes worth tens of millions of dollars to Melgen and to support the visa applications of several of Melgen's girlfriends".

"The indictment alleges that, among other gifts, Menendez accepted flights on Melgen's private jet, a first-class commercial flight and a flight on a chartered jet; numerous vacations at Melgen's Caribbean villa in the Dominican Republic and at a hotel room in Paris; and $40,000 in contributions to his legal defence fund and over $750,000 in campaign contributions," the department said.

"Menendez never disclosed any of the reportable gifts that he received from Melgen on his financial disclosure forms," it added.

Menendez, who was released on his own recognizance, said he had a "real friendship" with Melgen, and that the gifts he received were therefore not part of a corrupt relationship.

Melgen, who lives in Florida, also pleaded not guilty during the same hearing and was released on $1.5-million bail.

He was required to surrender his Dominican and US passports. Menendez had to turn over his personal passport but was allowed to keep his official, Senate passport.

In a statement upon exiting the Newark courthouse, Menendez reiterated that the Justice Department's allegations were false and based on salacious rumours, adding that he would finally have the chance to respond in court.

Menendez on Wednesday said he was temporarily stepping down as the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee until his case was resolved.

The trial date has been tentatively set for July 13, although it could be pushed back at the request of Menendez's defence team.

Menendez is seen as one of the most influential Hispanics on Capitol Hill.