Robert Menendez denies sex allegations after FBI raid on donor's office

Florida senator says he did not travel to Dominican Republican on plane owned by wealthy friend to have sex with prostitutes

he office of Robert Menendez, chairman of the US Senate's foreign relations committee, has denied allegations that he flew to the Dominican Republican on a plane owned by prominent Florida donor to have sex with prostitutes.

In a statement, Menendez's office confirmed he traveled three times on a plane owned by Dr Salomon Melgen, a friend and doctor, but said the trips had been "paid for and reported appropriately".

The FBI searched Melgen's office in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday night and early Wednesday, but it was unclear if the raid was related to Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat.

The Daily Caller reported shortly before the election that Menendez traveled on Melgen's private plane to the Dominican Republic to have sex with prostitutes. The FBI has refused to comment on whether Menendez is under investigation.

Records filed in Palm Beach County show a lien, or charge, by the IRS against Melgen of more than $11.1m for unpaid taxes from 2006 through 2009. Prior liens for taxes from 1998 to 2000 were subsequently withdrawn, records show.