Florida doctor tied to Senator Menendez corruption case to have bail set

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. A Florida doctor accused of giving lavish gifts to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez in a corruption case was due back in federal court Monday to have bail set on separate Medicare fraud charges.

Salomon Melgen faces 76 counts of Medicare fraud and falsifying medical records, and has remained in jail since his indictment in April. He has pleaded not guilty.

District Judge Kenneth Marra ruled on Friday that Melgen could be granted bail as long as a series of strict conditions were met, including home detention, electronic monitoring and no access to boats or planes.

The judge found that the notoriety of the case "and the fact that he is a co-defendant with a United States Senator, makes it

unlikely that any attempt to flee would be successful."

Marra added: "Great diplomatic and political pressure

would be brought to bear on any country that might consider shielding Defendant from extradition."

Arguing for bail to be denied, prosecutors have said Melgen's citizenship of the Dominican Republic, where he was born, and extensive investments there make him a flight risk, according to court documents.

Melgen’s lawyers said he was aware of the coming charges and could have fled at anytime. Agents were investigating his North Palm Beach eye clinic for nearly two years, according to the documents.

They also pointed out Melgen's family lives in Florida where he has operated his practice for many years.

Between January 2008 and December 2013, Melgen billed Medicare more than $190 million and was paid more than $105 million, according to the federal indictment filed in the U.S. Southern District of Florida.

He is accused of ordering unnecessary tests and falsifying records at his Florida practice, which saw as many as 100 patients in a day.

"Senator Robert Menendez in a corruption case was due back in federal court Monday to have bail set on separate Medicare fraud charges.Salomon Melgen faces 76 counts of Medicare fraud and falsifying medical records, and has remained in jail since his indictment in April"Medicare is the government health insurance program for the elderly and disabled.

In a separate case, Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, is charged with accepting up to $1 million worth of gifts from Melgen in exchange for using his political clout to help influence the outcome of Medicare disputes worth tens of millions to Melgen.

The two men , who are close friends, pleaded not guilty in April to political corruption charges in New Jersey. Melgen was released on $1.5 million bond in that case.

(Editing by David Adams and Mohammad Zargham)