Carrie Johnson for NPR:

The Justice Department forcefully defended its prosecutors Monday against allegations of misconduct and perjury lodged by lawyers for Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and an eye doctor who served as one of his longtime donors.

Prosecutors said their “exhaustive, focused and disciplined investigation” ferreted out “a stream of bribes” the senator solicited and accepted from Salomon Melgen, including lavish trips to Paris and the Dominican Republic. In return, the government said, Menendez exerted his influence to advance the interests of his longtime donor in meetings with officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and elsewhere.