Menendez forcefully denies prostitution allegation

After ducking comment for days, Sen. Robert Menendez is forcefully denying allegations he engaged with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.

Calling the claims false "smears," Menendez told reporters on Monday that he had done nothing wrong.

He condemned what he called "anonymous, nameless, faceless individuals" who he said have driven false stories into the mainstream media.

Menendez's public denial came after the FBI last week conducted a search of the West Palm Beach offices of a Florida doctor who also was the senator's biggest political donor in his re-election campaign last year. The Daily Caller, a conservative website, reported that Menendez had used a business jet owned by Dr. Salomon Melgen to fly to the Dominican Republican for trysts with prostitutes.

None of the allegations has been substantiated.