The government has opened a new front in its prosecution of Sen. Bob Menendez, introducing testimony about a port security contract he allegedly helped co-defendant Salamon Melgen with. Menendez’s friend had a contract to screen cargo in the Dominican Republic, but it was made worthless when the U.S. State Department contributed surplus X-ray equipment to the country. Melgen, according to testimony, wanted the equipment removed; his lawyer said that his client had powerful friends who could make trouble for the U.S. Commerce Department, naming Menendez.

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