newark n.j. u.s. senator bob menendez abuse power help wealthy benefactor years-long bribery scheme net new jersey democrat lavish gift major campaign donations federal prosecutors tell jury wednesday case corrupt politician sell senate office life luxury afford lead prosecutor peter koski say start menendez corruption trial newark menendez lawyer abbe lowell say prosecutors twist close brother-like relationship something illicit act friendship improper corrupt certainly crime say menendez accuse intervene federal officials help co-defendant salomon melgen florida ophthalmologist give senator private flight stay caribbean villa hundreds thousands dollars campaign money case come crucial time washington d.c. republicans hold razor-thin 52-48 edge senate menendez convict either resign expel colleagues january replacement would name new jersey governor chris christie republican group supporters cheer menendez 63 enter court wednesday morning senator tell reporters never back away fight run third six-year term 2018 despite charge koski tell jurors menendez use influence help melgen secure visa melgen foreign girlfriends pressure u.s. state department resolve contract dispute company melgen own dominican republic medicare federal insurance plan elderly disable conclude melgen overbilled 8.9 million menendez ask officials change reimbursement policy koski say melgen convict early year perpetrate massive medicare fraud yet sentence koski also urge jurors pay attention time melgen gift april 2012 instance menendez meet assistant secretary state regard dominican republic dispute melgen give menendez 80,000 day robert menendez salomon melgen personal unite state senator koski say lowell say menendez act melgen suggestion research issue staff conclude sound policy also accuse prosecutors cherry-picking handful examples amidst countless similar interventions menendez make years matter bring attention trial expect last eight weeks senator bob menendez face federal corruption trial