U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) stood by his embattled friend tonight in a statement.

"Senator Robert Menendez has been a colleague and a friend for many years," Sires said. "We have worked closely together on many issues affecting New Jersey residents. At all times I have found Senator Menendez to be hard working and a dedicated public servant. These attacks on the Senator were first delivered before the Senator's re-election this past November. I believe the attacks were an attempt to block the Senator from becoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is a very powerful post in Washington.

"Yesterday the Senator and his office made it clear that the salacious allegations are false," the congressman added. "The source of these allegations appears to be an anonymous tipster that spends its time delivering partisan attacks. It is my belief that these allegations will soon be put to rest so the Senator can continue to do what the people of New Jersey elected him to do. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Menendez on issues of vital concern to our constituents."