Robert Menendez Donor Courted President Obama, Harry Reid

Robert Menendez Donor Courted President Obama, Harry Reid
This Jan. 31, 2010, image released by Miami Dade College shows Dr. Salomon Melgen, posing for a photo at the book signing of "Growing American Roots", a book by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., at the college in Miami. Menendez sponsored legislation with incentives for natural gas vehicles conversions that would benefit Melgen, the biggest political donor to his re-election whose private jet he also used for two personal trips to the Dominican Republic, an Associated Press investigation found. The disclosure reflects the latest intersection between the New Jersey senator who is the subject of an ethics inquiry on Capitol Hill and the Florida doctor involved in a federal criminal investigation. (AP Photo/Miami Dade College, Phil Roche)
This Jan. 31, 2010, image released by Miami Dade College shows Dr. Salomon Melgen, posing for a photo at the book signing of "Growing American Roots", a book by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., at the college in Miami. Menendez sponsored legislation with incentives for natural gas vehicles conversions that would benefit Melgen, the biggest political donor to his re-election whose private jet he also used for two personal trips to the Dominican Republic, an Associated Press investigation found. The disclosure reflects the latest intersection between the New Jersey senator who is the subject of an ethics inquiry on Capitol Hill and the Florida doctor involved in a federal criminal investigation. (AP Photo/Miami Dade College, Phil Roche)

Salomon Melgen had a knack for going straight to the top.

He posed for pictures with President Barack Obama, flew Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on his private jet and sought advice on a port security deal from an ex-CIA agent who helped lead the hunt for Osama bin Laden, POLITICO has learned.

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