WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- There's still no final decision on bail in a Medicare fraud case for a prominent Florida eye doctor also accused in a federal corruption indictment with U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey.

(L-R)Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Dr. Salomon Melgen
(L-R)Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Dr. Salomon Melgen (Mendendez: AP Photo/Mel Evans. Melgen: AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Hector Gabino)
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A magistrate judge issued no immediate ruling Wednesday on bail for 61-year-old Dr. Salomon Melgen after a hearing in which Melgen was not present. Among the issues delaying his release, which was conditionally approved by another judge, are numerous properties in Melgen's country of origin, the Dominican Republic, and the value of jewelry and artwork he owns.

Melgen has been behind bars for nearly eight weeks since his arrest. He has pleaded not guilty to falsely diagnosing patients with eye conditions and performing unnecessary procedures to bilk Medicare out of some $105 million.

At the hearing, prosecutors said Melgen's family valued his jewelry at approximately $120,000 and the artwork at around $4 million, but added they want to verify those numbers.

Melgen's Dominican Republic properties, valued at around $2.4 million, according to his lawyer, Matthew Menchel, were a source of concern to both the prosecution and Magistrate Judge James Hopkins. The question is how to ensure Melgen has no access to these assets should he flee there.

Hopkins said $3 million would be an acceptable amount for bail, if all of Melgen's assets, including the Dominican Republic assets, can be part of the deal.

"How the Dominican Republic assets are tied up has major impact on what bond I'm ultimately going to set," said Hopkins.

No new hearing date was immediately set.

In the New Jersey case, authorities say Menendez intervened on his friend's behalf to gain visas for Melgen's foreign girlfriends, press Dominican officials to honor a lucrative port contract for one of the doctor's businesses and influence Medicare officials on billing disputes. In exchange, authorities say, Melgen showered the senator with flights, vacations and contributions.

Both Melgen and Menendez have pleaded not guilty in that case.

 

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