New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez will be charged soon , news report said . Federal grand jury has been probing whether he traded political donations from eye doctor Salomon Melgen for improper government favors . Menendez spokeswoman says doctor has been 'one of his closest friends for decades ' and insists everything he did was lawful . ' I am not going anywhere , ' the Cuban senator said Friday . His aides refused to testify before a federal grand jury about conversations their boss had with HHS officials and a lawyer engaged to lobby for Melgen . Attorney General Eric Holder has allegedly given his approval for charges ; But on Friday he insisted ' I ca n't comment on that ' The White House 's chief spokesman said Monday he 'ca n't speak to the accuracy ' of the claims that charges are pending . 'If there is a criminal investigation on the way , it is one that had been done wholly separate and apart from any sort of political interference ' GOP Sen. Ted Cruz suggested Friday the probe was political payback .
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez will be charged soon , news report said . Federal grand jury has been probing whether he traded political donations from eye doctor Salomon Melgen for improper government favors . Menendez spokeswoman says doctor has been 'one of his closest friends for decades ' and insists everything he did was lawful . ' I am not going anywhere , ' the Democratic senator said Friday . His aides refused to testify before a federal grand jury about conversations their boss had with HHS officials and a lawyer engaged to lobby for Melgen . Attorney General Eric Holder has allegedly given his approval for charges ; But on Friday he insisted ' I ca n't comment on that ' The White House 's chief spokesman said Monday he 'ca n't speak to the accuracy ' of the claims that charges are pending . 'If there is a criminal investigation on the way , it is one that had been done wholly separate and apart from any sort of political interference ' GOP Sen. Ted Cruz suggested Friday the probe was political payback .