(Image Source: The New York Times ) BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT One of the star senators fighting to rebuild his state after Hurricane Sandy is now fighting to keep his political reputation in tact. A review by the Senate Ethics Committee is underway with Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez in the middle of the storm. The committee claims that Menendez inappropriately accepted gifts, in the form of free rides on a private jet to and from the Dominican Republic...   ...provided by this man — Florida eye surgeon Dr. Salomon Melgen . The trips took place in 2010. On Wednesday, the FBI raided the office of Melgen , who is also a prominent Democratic donor and personal friend of Menendez. Although health care fraud is the suspected impetus, the FBI hasn’t said publicly why they’re investigating Melgen. Senators are required to report any gifts exceeding $250 to the ethics committee. CNN reports on Menendez’s financial disclosure form 2010, the senator said... “...no, he did not receive any reportable travel worth more than $335. His own office now says the flights were worth $58,000.” What’s worse than tens of thousands of dollars unaccounted for is that Menendez is being accused of taking those flights to abscond with underage prostitutes. According to the Washington Post , “ The Daily Caller, a conservative Web site, has published e-mail exchanges in which a tipster tells FBI agent Regino Chavez that Menendez has had contact with underage prostitutes. The agent says they are investigating.” The relationship between Menendez and Melgen goes a bit deeper than plane rides to a Caribbean island. According to The Miami Herald ... “...Menendez used his influence to advocate for a Dominican Republic business deal that helped [Melgen].” Menendez’s office quickly repudiated claims of wrongdoing saying, “...the senator did nothing improper. Senators, especially on the Foreign Relations Committee that Menendez will soon chair, frequently advocate for U.S. business abroad.” Menendez has since said the claims of impropriety are “nameless, faceless anonymous accusations.” A writer for Slate suggests that an unproven sex scandal will have little effect on Menendez’s career. “If Menendez did decide to ruin his career by telling prostitutes his real name and stiffing them on a bill, obviously, he'll go. But if that part of the story is bogus, while some number of people will always believe it, Menendez will skate on the financial sleaze that he never even tried to deny.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid publicly sided with Menendez, calling him a “friend and outstanding senator” ... ...But a writer for The Atlantic suggests because of the uncertainty, Menendez’s allies are being cautious: “ It's tough to tell just how much political danger Menendez is in, especially since we don't know yet if any of the allegations are true, or what charges if any he might face.... Presumably, many are playing a waiting game, avoiding hugging him too close in case the worst is true.” Allegations against Menendez come at a time when the New Jersey senator is preparing for chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.