Menendez appealing judge’s ruling to dismiss charges

Attorneys for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey have filed a notice saying they will appeal a judge's rulings in his corruption case.

A federal judge last month dismissed some bribery counts against Menendez and co-defendant Salomon Melgen but rejected most of Menendez's arguments to dismiss the indictment. The judge Thursday rejected Menendez's remaining attempts to have the case thrown out.

The Democrat is charged with accepting campaign donations and gifts in exchange for political influence. He has pleaded not guilty and argues that his actions weren't specifically to benefit Melgen, but were routine legislative work protected by the Constitution's speech or debate clause.

A federal appeals court in Philadelphia will now take up that argument, likely within months. No schedule had been set as of Friday.

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