Lautenberg calls Menendez ethics accusations 'too bad'

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said Thursday he was saddened to see his junior colleague, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), ensnarled in a brewing controversy over trips he took to the Dominican Republic and a report that he may have solicited prostitutes.

"If there are infractions as they are reported, it’s too bad," Lautenberg told reporters, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

Menendez is facing questions over a pair trips he took to the Dominican Republic with Salomon Melgen, a Florida eye doctor under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Menendez had not originally paid for two of the trips on Melgen's private jet to the Dominican Republic, calling him a longtime friend, but his office announced Wednesday that he had reimbursed Melgen $58,5000 for the trip.

“Sen. Menendez has traveled on Dr. Melgen’s plane on three occasions, all of which have been paid for and reported appropriately,” Menendez's office said in a statement.

The Daily Caller has also reported that Menendez solicited prostitutes during the trips, although Menendez has vehemently denied that charge.

“Any allegations of engaging with prostitutes are manufactured by a politically motivated right-wing blog and are false," Menendez's office said.

"There a lot that’s said and covered, but I for one know Bob as a very capable United States senator, and I’m sorry to see him in this position," Lautenberg said. "But I can’t give you anything more. Don’t want to. Don’t know to."

White House press secretary Jay Carney also declined to comment when asked about the reports on Thursday.

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