Sen. Robert Menendez said Tuesday that he has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the Cuban government had a role in allegations against him that have made him a target of a federal probe. Among the charges are so far unsubstantiated allegations that Menendez, D-N.J., flew on a plane provided by a friend and campaign supporter for rendezvous with prostitutes.
A Tuesday report in The Washington Post stated that the CIA obtained evidence linking Cuban agents to the claims about Menendez and prostitutes and to trying to persuade American news organizations to pursue those claims.
"The Washington Post's report that the CIA has concluded a foreign intelligence service sought to manipulate U.S. policy by spreading false rumors to the FBI and to media outlets is extremely disturbing," said Sen. Menendez's communications director Tricia Enright in a statement provided to NBC News. "We hope the Department of Justice and other appropriate federal agencies will investigate this matter aggressively and hold anyone involved fully accountable."
IN-DEPTH
- Sen. Robert Menendez Seeks Probe of Alleged Cuban Plot to Smear Him (Washington Post)
- Senator Robert Menendez Says Free Private Jet Trip "Fell Through the Cracks"
- With the Associated Press