Trial Date Set For Doc Tied To Sen. Menendez

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WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — A South Florida doctor charged with a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud will head to trial in early 2016.

Attorneys for Salomon Melgen said Monday they'll look to health care experts to prove that the $190 million charges to Medicare were medically necessary.

In a seperate case, Melgen is also charged with corruption alongside New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez.

The defense told Judge Kenneth Marra they'd prefer to try the Florida case before the New Jersey case.

In that corruption case, prosecutors allege Menendez intervened on his friend's behalf to gain visas for Melgen's foreign girlfriends, press Dominican officials to honor a lucrative port contract for one of the doctor's businesses and influence Medicare officials on billing disputes.

In exchange, authorities say, Melgen showered the senator with flights, vacations and contributions.

Melgen remains in custody while attorneys are working on a bond agreement. He has pleaded not guilty.

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