Federal prosecutors oppose moving Menendez corruption case from New Jersey to D.C.

FILE - In this April 14, 2015, file photo, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. speaks with members of the media on Capitol Hill in Washington. Menendez, facing a federal indictment on bribery and corruption charges, reported his legal defense fund has raised nearly $1.3 million since it was launched last year and $430,000 from the start of this year until the day before he was indicted. Menendez, a Democrat, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the indictment, which alleges he helped his longtime friend and co-defendant, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, with his business dealings in exchange for trips to a lavish villa in the Dominican Republic and campaign donations. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) ((AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File))

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – Federal prosecutors are opposed to moving U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez's corruption case from New Jersey to Washington.

Attorneys for Menendez and co-defendant Salomon Melgen filed the request earlier this month, arguing virtually none of the 22 counts alleged occurred in the state.

In court documents, federal prosecutors say Menendez ignores allegations that he accepted numerous things of value in New Jersey. They also say his lawyers are based in New York and not the District of Columbia.

The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting gifts and donations totaling about $1 million from the Florida ophthalmologist in exchange for political favors. The gifts included flights aboard a luxury jet and a Paris vacation.

Menendez has said he accepted gifts from Melgen because the two have been close friends for years.

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