March 15, 2011, 3:07 PM ET

http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/03/15/menendez-hit-over-money-linked-to-albany-corruption/?mod=google_news_blog

Republicans attacked New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat, for not giving up thousands of dollars in donations from a real-estate developer charged in an Albany corruption case.

Aaron Malinsky, the developer, faces federal conspiracy and money-laundering charges for allegedly funneling secret cash payments to New York state Sen. Carl Kruger. On Monday, aides to Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, said they were donating to charities the $250 that Malinsky gave to each of them last August.

Menendez has gotten much more money from Malinksy. In 2008, he received $2,300, and Federal Election Commission records stretching back to 2003 show Menendez and his affiliated political action committee received more than $20,000 from the developer.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee also pointed to more than $13,000 in other donations Malinksy relatives and employees have made to Menendez.

“It’s striking that as his fellow senators rid themselves of their tainted campaign cash, Sen. Menendez is silent on not just his own Malinsky money, but also his relationship’’ with the developer, said NRSC spokesman Chris Bond.

Menendez’s campaign issued a statement saying the senator “believes in honoring the highest ethical standards. He will conduct a thorough review of the facts and then make a decision about these contributions.”

A a lawyer for Malinsky decline to comment.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed a criminal complaint last week charging Malinsky and others funneled bribes to Kruger and a close associate, as they sought to gain government approvals and in some cases taxpayer financing for real-estate development deals.