Prominent institutions and reporters in the U.S. have collaborated with this ongoing investigation. Carrie Levine, who belongs to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW,) and Rhonda Schwartz, a prestigious journalist and investigator for ABC News, are aware of the investigation and the illegal activities conducted by the New Jersey Senator.
Rhonda Schwartz
Rhonda Schwartz is a Senior Investigative Producer for ABC News. Ms. Schwartz joined ABC News in 1995, along with Chief Correspondent Brian Ross, to form the Brian Ross Investigative Unit. The unit provides breaking news and in-depth investigative reporting for all the ABC News programs, including World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Good Morning America, 20/20, Prime Time Thursday and Nightline.
In her eight years at ABC News, Schwartz has produced investigative stories on every major news event, from terrorism and the 9/11 attacks to the war in Iraq to the fall of Enron. She recently returned from Baghdad where she produced a series of reports revealing Iraq’s secret Intelligence headquarters, the hidden torture chambers inside Iraqi prisons, as well the failure of the U.S. to safeguard valuable intelligence documents and potentially dangerous germ laboratories.
Schwartz’s reporting has taken her around the globe, from tracking down fugitive Marc Rich in his secret Swiss hideaway to testing security at our nation’s borders post 9/11 by successfully shipping harmless but still radioactive uranium from a port in Istanbul to a warehouse under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. She is a three-time winner of the George Polk Award for her stories on international human rights abuses: “Blood Money” the grisly story of the sales of executed prisoner’s kidneys by the Chinese military; “Shame of Saipan” an expose of sweatshop labor by American designers in Saipan; and “Made in the USA,” on the use of child labor overseas by Walmart.
Much of her work has also focused on the corrupting influence of money on the American political system. Her series of investigative reports on the behind-the-scenes spending at the national political conventions won an Emmy Award, and was a finalist for Harvard University’s prestigious Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.
Schwartz, a 30-year network news veteran, has been the recipient of more than a dozen investigative journalism awards including three Emmys, most recently for ABC’s World News Tonight Post 9/11 Terrorism coverage. She has also won several Overseas Press Club Awards, the IRE Tom Renner Award for Crime Reporting and the Amnesty International Media Spotlight Award. Before joining ABC Schwartz spent more than 20 years at NBC News working on a variety of news magazine and documentary programs: First Tuesday, Chronolog, Weekend and the NBC News White Papers series.
E-MAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN ABC NEWS AND THE MAIN SOURCE
Carrie Levine (CREW)
Research Director.
Carrie Levine is CREW’s Research Director. Before joining CREW, Ms. Levine was an associate editor for The National Law Journal, where she covered lobbying. She has also reported for The Charlotte Observer, The Patriot Ledger of Quincy, Mass., and The Lowell Sun (Lowell, Mass.). She is a graduate of Boston University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
CREW
Many Americans have given up on our political system, writing off our elected leaders as crooks. At CREW, we believe politicians must be held accountable for their actions. Day in and day out, we work to ensure government officials -regardless of party affiliation- act with honesty and integrity and merit the public trust.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials who sacrifice the common good to special interests.
CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach. CREW employs the law as a tool to force officials to act ethically and lawfully and to bring unethical conduct to the public’s attention through:
· Litigation
· Freedom of Information Act Requests
· Ethics Complaints
· Internal Revenue Service Complaints
· Federal Election Commission Complaints
· Requests for Investigations
It’s always easier to tear something down than to build it up, and building a better Washington is no different. CREW firmly believes, however, that a small group of committed citizens can change the world; it is the only thing that ever has.
E-MAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE INVESTIGATORS AND THE MAIN SOURCE
E-MAIL EXCHANGE: CREW- MAIN SOURCE
Monday, April 9, 2012
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Anette M. Gillis” <anette_gillis@ethics.senate.gov>,
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
My duty as a US citizen obligates me to report what I consider to be a grave violation of the most fundamental codes of conduct that a politician of my country must follow. I have first hand information regarding the reiterated participation of Senator Robert Menendez in inappropriate sexual activities with young prostitutes while on vacations in the Dominican Republic.
Once I have been assured that the information I have will be handled with the utmost discretion and that my safety and that of my sources is guaranteed, I, and they, will be willing to testify in the US, in order to prevent irreparable damage to the privacy of related individuals.
Over the last several years, I have been travelling to the Dominican Republic for personal and business reasons. At this juncture, I have known that since 2008, and more frequently during 2009 and 2010, Senator Menendez has traveled, by private jet owned by his friend and taxpayer Dr. Salomon Melgen, to the Dominican Republic where he stays at a house also owned by the doctor located in Casa de Campo, La Romana, telephone (809) 523-8525. (The doctor has a second, less-used home located in Claudia Mitchell IV Building on Fernando Escobar Street in the Lope de Vega neighborhood of Santo Domingo.)
Salomon Melgen is a Dominican ophthalmologist who resides in Miami and who is well-known in the Dominican Republic for his taste for young prostitutes, some of them also well-known, who frequent his residences to entertain him and his associates during their vacations.
Senator Menendez has taken part in these ¨pleasure¨ vacations on several occasions. A small circle of people accompany him during his stays, including female prostitutes in their 20´s.
In late 2008, I became aware of the Senator´s indiscretions when I learned about his visit to Casa de Campo in August of that year, and about the company he kept. Later in 2009, Dominican friends, in whom I have absolute confidence, told me that the Senator has been visiting the country regularly since 2007. They gave me details of his trips and his activities and names of those who participated in ¨entertaining¨ him. Since then, I have had the opportunity to personally speak with some of the participants.
The Senator already has quite a negative reputation in the Dominican Republic, given that this matter is a topic of discussion in many important circles and has been in the press. For example, the radio program Z-101 reported that when the Senator visited in June 2009, Dr. Melgen hired two prostitutes for the Senator. According to the report, when they arrived at the Casa de Campo, unlike in previous times, the security personnel demanded the presence of Dr. Melgen and the identification of the women.
I personally have abundant and detailed information about the women who have been hired for the Senator. I have photos, videos and the testimony of one of the young women. I have also convinced the parents of one of the girls to allow their daughter to testify.
I also have dates and specifics about many of the Senator´s visits, including a yacht outing in 2009, the participants and the very significant facts that took place in that occasion.
As a father of two adolescent girls who I take on vacation to the Dominican Republic, I cannot remain silent about such disgusting and criminal behavior, especially when perpetrated by a government representative who appears to the public as a man of integrity and high moral standards and whose salary is paid by the taxes of hard-working Americans.
I reiterate that I am willing to supply all of the information I have once an investigation has been initiated, as are others, including those more directly involved. My sources are available and willing to travel to the US in order to testify.
I hope that with this information and given the gravity of the situation, the Committee will see fit to open an investigation and notify me about its decision to do so.
I can be contacted at: p.williams605@yahoo.com
RE: Please, share this with MS. Melanie Sloane 6
FROM:
TO:
Monday, April 9, 2012 1:18 PM
Mr. Williams,
Thanks very much for forwarding us this information. Can I ask that you give me a call regarding this when you have the chance? Thanks so much.
Best,
Carrie
Carrie Levine
Research Director
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
1400 Eye St., N.W. Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-408-5565 ext. 109
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
Dear Carrie:
I appreciate very much you interest. I´ve got a lot to tell you on this issue. It´s difficult to imagine what I have known about Senator Menendez´s relationship with Doctor Salomon Melgen, his vices and immoral activities, but I prefer not to talk on the phone now. I can assure you that I will give you all the evidence that I and my friends have. First, I can tell you the information I´ve got is related to Senator Menendez´s relationship with Dr. Melgen
I can´t understand the reason why Senator Menendez´s close friendship with Salomon Melgen has never been subjected to any investigation, due to Dr. Melgen´s close links with very corrupted politicians, as well as his active connection with prostitution, all this very well known in high ranking Dominican Government groups.
For you to have more elements to check on, besides what I´ve mentioned, I´m giving you the date of Senator Menendez´s trips to the Dominican Republic using Melgen´s private jet during the summer of 2009, the spring of 2010 and late 2011.
The people involve, knowing about your interest, are very optimistic on the fact that you´ve decided to help them. They have been witnesses of Senator Menendez involvement in Melgen´s activities with young prostitutes.
I appreciate you tell me if you´ve decided to go on with an investigation on this issue, or if I better try this, using another way.
Thanks for your interest.
P.Williams
RE: Please, share this with MS. Melanie Sloane
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 2:53 PM
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Mr. Williams,
I am just following up with you again on this. We are interested in discussing it further with you and reviewing the material you describe below. Please do give me a call when you have a moment. The number is 202-408-5565. Thanks so much.
Best,
Carrie
Carrie Levine
Research Director
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
1400 Eye St., N.W. Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-408-5565 ext. 109
FROM:
TO:
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 3:25 PM
Mr. Williams:
Thanks for your response. CREW’s procedure is to review evidence before determining a course of action. We don’t currently have enough information to do so, even with the dates of travel you provide below.
You have written that you have documentation of these allegations to provide. I’m happy to discuss the easiest way for you to provide your documentation to us so we can review this.
Best,
Carrie
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
I understand your position as well as CREW´s proceeding in order to begin an investigation. As a normal citizen, my way to give you proofs and evidences is not like an investigator or a journalist. I just assure you that I have valuable information, which proves the linkage of Senator Menendez to these activities. It will be very useful to CREW.
During the years I´ve been visiting the Dominican Republic, I met a family where unfortunately two girls are involved in prostitution. One of them told me many stories about her good and bad experiences in this issue. She told me about the frequent trips by yacht, where Senator Menendez, Doctor Melgen and one of Vinicio Castillo´s sons, participate. This yacht belongs to Vinicio Castillo´s son and Vinicio Castillo, known as Vincho, is the presidential advisor for Security Affairs in the Dominican Republic. The yacht is in Casa de Campos´s Marine.
Several young prostitutes always participate in these private activities. Some of them have been identified by my friends as Yaneisy Fernandez and another Dominican girl were known as “the Honey”. These two girls were Melgen´s preferred ones. There are other two girls, a Russian one and another from Brazil, who lives in Miami and who always accompany Doctor Melgen in his private jet trips of pleasure. All these girls receive expensive gifts and great amounts of money for the services they provide Doctor Melgen and his partners.
Beside, underage girls who at the time didn´t seem to be, but they really were, have participated in these activities. Two of these minors are named Claudia and Rosemary Rivas. I´ve got other names I can give you.
The girls Senator Menendez prefer the most are Yaneysi Fernandez, a high class prostitute, who is white, thin, 5.6 feet tall, light eyes, pointed nose, big and exciting mouth. Her cell phone was (829) 258 4606. The girl known as the honey, who is a model in the Dominican Republic, is white, black hair, 5.4 feet tall and small mouth. She works for a Dominican pimp known as “Chocolate”. Another Melgen´s preferred girls is named Minerva, who also seem to be personally very close to Doctor Melgen.
These women are carried to Melgen´s residence and the rest of the places for these activities, using Melgen´s dark blue Mercedes Benz drive by a person named Rafael, who is Doctor´s drive and bodyguard. This man is always armed and has been working for Melgen for many years. He is very trustful to Senator Menendez. Several time he´s accompanied by Montero another Doctor´s bodyguard. Senator Robert Menendez during his short pleasure visits to the Dominican Republic also travels in the same care with the same personal security.
Chocolate as well as another person named Juan Chamizo are the main contacts who guarantee the participation of the young and pretty girls to this very reserved activities. Melgen´s bodyguards are the ones establishing telephone contacts with them. According to my young friend, Senator Menendez is very special guest for the Doctor and Melgen is the one introducing the best and the youngest girls to the Senator.
When Senator Menendez goes to the Dominican Republic, he stays the weekend with some of these girls by his side, in the Melgen´s house located in Ingenio 25, Casa de Campo, La Romana, as well as in the other apartment (Claudia Mitchell IV building on Fernando Escobar street in Lope de Vega neighborhood, Santo Domingo), which is also owned by Doctor Melgen.
My friend has been an eye witness of Senator Menendez relationships with underage girls, who become prostitutes since many years ago. I´ve been talking a lot with this family and I think that if security and discretion is guaranteed, they are at their disposal to talk about this in private.
Next, I´ll send you other elements on this issue.
Best.
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
To:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
RE:
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 3:33 PM
Thank you for your email. I appreciate the additional specifics you’re providing. The photos, however, and your account are not sufficient for us to move forward. What we would need is the chance to speak directly with witnesses or participants who are willing to discuss this with us. I’m happy to speak to anyone personally if you have them contact me.
Best,
Carrie
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 8:39 PM
Also, I see that you provide a cell phone for Yaneysi Fernandez. Is she one of the girls who would be willing to speak to us?
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
No. She is not one of them, but I really think you should look forward to speak with her. Don´t you think it worths a try? She doesn´t know about me. So, please, don´t mention me.
I will send to you some other information can help.
Thanks.
***
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RE: RE:
Monday, April 23, 2012 1:13 PM
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Mr. Williams,
I will give her a call this week. I assume she speaks only Spanish, so we will make sure someone who speaks Spanish is on the line.
As I’m sure you know, these allegations are extremely serious, and we at CREW are committed to moving forward with an investigation. But I do need to say that because the allegations are so serious, we have a high bar of proof to meet. We need people who are willing to talk to us about the circumstances you describe. We are willing to come to the Dominican Republic to speak with them if necessary, but we’re going to have to at least speak to some people on the phone beforehand to understand what firsthand knowledge they have and get specifics.
I am hoping you will send the corroborating evidence you tell me you can provide, and put me in touch with the people you have mentioned.
Because of the seriousness of the allegations here, I would appreciate you sending me your evidence as soon as possible. In addition, I would again like to ask that you give me a call so we can discuss this.
Best,
Carrie
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
Ok. I suggest you to make a carefully call. I need to stress it, because she can make Doctor Melgen aware of this matter. It´s important she does not realize that it could be a part of an investigation, in order to guarantee my friends and the other sources’s safety. You cannot give Yaneisy Fernandez any clue about the links between my friends and all these activities. They can not be compromised on this call. I trust on your way to carry out this. Other side, as I know it´s important and you want to be in touch with participants, I asked one of the girls to write for you some of the experiences she have had inside this circle. See below her written testimony. Of course, you can email her directly.
Best
E-mail sent through Peter Williams 7
DE:
PARA:
Mariela,
Muchas gracias por escribirnos. Agradecemos su posicion y queremos que estes segura que usted y las otras niñas involucradas en este asunto estan protegidas. Tenemos algunas preguntas y las respuestas son importante.
Cuantos años tienen las niñas involucradas en estas actividades? Hay algunas que son menores de 18 años?
Puede darnos algunos dias especificos? Estamos buscando los dias de las actividades involucrando ambos el Dr. Melgen y su amigo Americano, quien piensas es el senador Robert Menendez.
Como se dio cuenta que el amigo de Dr. Melgen era el senador Menendez? En su email dijo que Piter te dijo. Haz visto una foto del senador? Estas segura que este señor es el senador? Aqui hay una foto del senador Menendez:
Y su foto tambien se puede ver en este link http://menendez.senate.gov/biography/.
Este es el hombre quien vistes?
Yo se que usted siente que usted y las otras niñas involucradas en esto – incluyendo a su hermana – pueden estar en peligro. Por favor, con toda confianza si tiene alguna pregunta para mi o duda, me puede contactar a traves del telefono que esta abajo o por correo electronico. Tambien, si tiene cualquier otra cosa que se recuerde sobre los eventos que han sucedido por favor avisenos. Asimismo, por favor mandanos cualquier fotos que tendra de las actividades, tomadas en el yate o del Doctor o su amigo Americano. Estas fotos serian muy importantes.
Gracias, otra vez, por hablar con nosotros,
Carrie Carrie Levine
Research Director
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
1400 Eye St., N.W. Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-408-5565 ext. 109
**
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
I suggest you tell me what specific element you´d like to know. These two girls are willing to answer any of your questions. Talking with them, I heard of other people who know about these activities of the senator and Salomon Melgen. They explained to me that the service staff at the Doctor ´s house in casa de campo is aware of everything’s that´s happening there. Within this group there is a woman called Miriam, who seems to speak more than she should, and there ´s other one whose name is Carmen. Expecting your response.
***
DE:
PARA:
CC:
Lunes, 2 de Mayo, 2012 8:32 P.M.
Este mensaje contiene imágenes bloqueadas.
Because CREW has limited resources, we have shared your allegations, but not your identities, with a respected, trusted journalist with whom we have worked on other stories. Would you be willing to meet with the journalist on a confidential basis? The journalist is willing to travel to wherever you are to obtain additional information. You have our assurances that any such meeting would be secret and your identities would not be revealed publicly. Please let us know as soon as possible. We´d like to move forward with this.
Dado al caso que CREW tiene recursos limitados, hemos compartido sus acusaciones, pero no sus identidades, con un respetado y reporter o de confianza con quien hemos trabajado en otros casos. Estuvieran dispuestos encontrarse con el reportero de una manera confidencial? El reportero esta dispuesto a viajar donde estén para obtener informacion adicional. Tienen nuestro garantía que cualquier encuentro seria secreto y sus identidades no serian hechas publicas. Por favor, avisenos lo mas pronto posible. Queremos adelantar el caso.
Carrie.
***
Flag this message
RE: Question
Friday, May 4, 2012 4:15 PM
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Dear Mr. Williams,
Thank you for your e-mail. No one wants to jeopardize anyone’s safety. The journalist we are referring to works for ABC News, and CREW has had a long, productive, and trusting relationship with both this reporter and with ABC. ABC News protects sources’ identities, can travel to meet with you, has the resources necessary to fully investigate this matter, and has handled similarly sensitive matters in the past. As I said in my earlier e-mail, we have not disclosed your identity. We will have the journalist contact you directly through this e-mail address.
We appreciate your coming forward with this information, but unless someone is willing to talk about what happened, there is no way to hold people accountable. Again, we want to do this in a way that takes everyone’s safety into account.
Best,
Carrie
**
Flag this message
RE: Question
Friday, May 11, 2012 6:32 PM
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Thanks very much. Please do send us whatever information you can.
Carrie
**
Saturday, May 12, 2012
From:
“Peter Williams” p.williams605@yahoo.com
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
I suggest you tell me what specific element you´d like to know. These two girls are willing to answer any of your questions. Talking with them, I heard of other people who know about these activities of the senator and Salomon Melgen. They explained to me that the service staff at the Doctor ´s house in casa de campo is aware of everything’s that´s happening there. Within this group there is a woman called Miriam, who seems to speak more than she should, and there ´s other one whose name is Carmen. Expecting your response.
From: Peter Williams [mailto:p.williams605@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 11:24 AM
To: RhondaSchwartz
Cc: Carrie Levine
Subject: HI, AGAIN
Mrs. Schwartz / Mrs. Levine:
Apologies for my silence. I’m still searching for the date in which the senator will soon come to the Dominican Republic for entertainment. I’m almost sure he won’t waste the next congressional recess.
Although I’ve been focused on this search, I knew that at least one of the two jets used in these trips is a CL-600 Challenger. Apparently, it belongs to one of Dr. Melgen’s companies. Still couldn’t get its tail number.
Hope these new element be useful.
We’ll be in touch.
P.W.
RE: HI, AGAINTuesday, July 31, 2012 2:50 PM
From: “Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>Add sender to Contacts
To: “Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>Peter,
Thanks for keeping me in the loop. I’ll look to hear from you with more information.
Carrie
Carrie Levine
Research Director
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
1400 Eye St., N.W. Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-408-5565 ext. 109
http://www.citizensforethics.org
From: Peter Williams [mailto:p.williams605@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 12:05 PM
To: Carrie Levine
Subject: Hi???
| Dear Carrie,
I got an email from a FBI agent explaining that a representative from CREW passed him the information I´ve shared with you. His email caught me by surprise since I´d have preferred to be consulted, the same way you did when ABC got into the investigation.
I´m still working with my sources to know the date of our interest. Right now, I´m putting my ideas together to decide what to do next.
Best,
PW
|
RE: Hi???
Monday, August 13, 2012 2:30 PM
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
To:
“Peter Williams (p.williams605@yahoo.com)” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Mr. Williams,
FBI Agent Chavez reached out to me and asked me to let you know he is a safe person to contact and meet with. He is hoping you respond to his message from last week, and I wanted to pass along his request. I know you reached out to us because you wanted a full investigation of this, and the FBI has resources and expertise to do that.
Feel free to keep in touch with me.
Best,
Carrie
Carrie Levine
Research Director
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
1400 Eye St., N.W. Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-408-5565 ext. 109
From: Peter Williams [mailto:p.williams605@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 5:25 PM
To: Carrie Levine
Subject: RE: Hi???
| Dear Carrie,
Thanks so much for your support. We both share the same opinion. This issue should be thoroughly investigated, according with the seriousness of the facts. I also agree that a news investigation is not sufficient. I´ll get in touch with the FBI agent. Thanks,
P.W
|
RE: Hi???
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 3:54 PM
From:
“Carrie Levine” <clevine@citizensforethics.org>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Thanks for letting me know. Let me know how it goes.
Carrie Levine
Research Director
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
1400 Eye St., N.W. Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-408-5565 ext. 109
http://www.citizensforethics.org
E-MAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN ABC NEWS AND THE MAIN SOURCE
Re: Regards from ABC News Investigative Team
May, 2012
From:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
To:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
Thanks so much for getting in touch
I appreciate your interest and understand the necessity of a meeting. CREW must have told you about the characteristic and conditions of these girls. Beside, none of us is willing to expose to the spotlight or to be connected to any scandal. We want to keep our privacy.
I must assume CREW gave you the information I´ve been providing them. Just let me know if you need to clear up any of these aspects.
Thanks.
Re: Regards from ABC News Investigative Team
Friday, May 18, 2012 3:36 PM
From:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Thanks so much for getting in touch
yes – I understand the background and the reluctance for folks to come forward. My goal would be to figure out how to tell the story so it has impact but without risking any sources. But in order to figure out how to do that I would greatly appreciate your trust to meet with me confidentially.
If you google me you will see I have a long distinguished career and my reputation is based on keeping the trust of sources.
Clearly you feel strongly this story should come out – I need your confidential help to assist me. Perhaps we could start with a phone call? Just let me know a good time for you.
Best regards,
From: Peter Williams
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 11:31 AM
To: Schwartz, Rhonda
Subject: RE: Regards from ABC News Investigative Team
| Mrs. Rhonda:
Let´s do things in a way everybody gets satisfied. You want to do your research, but I don´t want to become a celebrity, and I don´t want to affect these girls´ lives. We don´t want to get to the spotlight, but we will cooperate as much as possible. I just need some time because you are the Media and this is a sensitive issue. Right now, I´m talking a lot with them, but I need to know about your plans for us. For the moment, we will maintain contact by email. We just want discretion. I think there are many aspects we need to go deeper. The senator travels very often to this country, and you have some of the dates. He always goes by Dr. Melgen´s private jet. I wonder if all those travels have been authorized or reported, and also how is possible that not a single investigation has been made on the close ties between the senator and the doctor, being the last a notorious corrupt and famous in several Dominican circles for his addiction to prostitutes and his preference for minors.
The senator not only knows, but also shares and enjoys. He has used Dominican Republic as a safe Haven to do what he can not in the United States, but he does so knowing that Melgen is the protégée of many Dominican politicians, and that no one in this country would dare to investigate on him. I can assure you that all the information I´m telling you is totally true. I have absolute confidence in my sources and I know they have witnessed everything they told me. There are other important aspects of their personal experiences that I haven´t told you yet, because I always want to make sure the info is true before I send it to you. In the coming days, I will.
It´s important for you to know that these people don´t think like us. The Dominican idiosyncrasy and culture is different and tightly adjusted to their closer experiences. In this country, women are beaten and killed for lesser important things, that´s why they are afraid and they prefer, for the mean time, to continue talking only to me. They trust me. So, they gave me this information and they are willing to continue giving me everything they know and may know. That´s the reason I´m asking you for more time. From the information that Crew delivered to you, what have you check, so far? Best,
PW
|
RE: Regards from ABC News Investigative Team
Friday, May 25, 2012 12:20 AM
From:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
To:
“‘Peter Williams’” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your help. I completely understand the need for discretion and I appreciate your taking the time to send us these details.
Please rest assured that we will handle this confidentially. I truly understand the need to proceed cautiously when taking on powerful men, and we’ve successfully reported stories in similar situations without risking any of our sources. Our reputation as journalists depends on that.
I have many questions, but here’s a start. This information would be very helpful to our investigation:
1)Would you be able to send me the TAIL NUMBER – (also known as the “N” number) and model of Dr. Melgen’s private jet? And more importantly can you find out in advance, when the Senator will next travel to the DR on that plane?
2)What is the formal address and name of the home owned by Dr. Melgen where the Senator visits? If I have the actual physical address we could check real estate records.
3)Do you have any further details of the previous dates that the Senator visited the DR with Dr. Melgin?
I hope that over time you will come to trust me enough to agree to meet me in person. As I’ve said, we are extremely sensitive to issues of safety and confidentiality of sources, and we will be especially careful regarding yourself and the identities of the women involved.
I’m eager to meet you because not only would it be easier to discuss this freely in person, but frankly I’d also like some assurance that we are not being set up by political opponents of the Senator.
If as you say, your motives are to expose an egregious violation of ethics by elected officials and powerful men we are in complete agreement that is a worthwhile goal and would work to bring forward a well documented story with the goal of maximum impact.
But I’m sure you understand why at some point we need to know more about the sources of our information.
I look forward to working with you. Please feel free to take your time in responding, unless there is anything happening on this holiday weekend we should know about in advance. I’m going to take a few days off myself but am almost always checking e-mail.
Best regards,
Rhonda Schwartz
ABC News
Re: Regards from ABC News Investigative Team
Friday, May, 2012
From:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
To:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
I appreciate your interest and understand the necessity of a meeting. CREW must have told you about the characteristic and conditions of these girls. Beside, none of us is willing to expose to the spotlight or to be connected to any scandal. We want to keep our privacy.
I must assume CREW gave you the information I´ve been providing them. Just let me know if you need to clear up any of these aspects.
Thanks.
Monday, June, 2012
From:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
To:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
Dear Mrs. Schwartz:
I’ve taken some time to convince my sources about the necessity of their statements and I’ve made some progress. At the same time, I’ve been doing a bit of research on my own about other facts I learned of the circle of people somehow connected to these usual activities of Dr. Melgen and Senator Menendez.
Recently, I knew the identities of other girls involved. One of them is named Sveta; she’s a young Russian who lives in Miami, Florida and travels frequently to New York. This girl is one of the most regular participants in the activities the Doctor arranges for the Senator. She has traveled with them in the jet, sailed with them in the yacht, and has repeatedly visited the Doctor’s house. Maybe with this data you can track her down in Miami.
I also knew about two other girls, aged 19 and 20, who have attended these activities. One of them is a Brazilian named Maria, a.k.a. Camila, and the other is a Colombian named Geraldine Garcia. Dr. Melgen rented an apartment for them at 111 Residencial Gabriella, apt. 202, Gazcue, Sto. Domingo, D.N. They can be reached on 829-941-1498.
These two girls were the last ones to share with the Senator. To my surprise, when I dug a little deeper, I found they were linked to a Colombian drug dealer who lives in D.R. In order to avoid misunderstandings, I want to clear up my position on this issue. I knew this, but I’m not accusing the Senator or his friend of being connected to drug trafficking. I have no proof of that, and I don’t think they have anything to do with that, either. Their issue is prostitution, not drugs.
Mrs. Schwartz, as you well know, this kind or investigation takes time and resources. This is not an easy task for me since I have not the tools, resources and skills you may certainly have. For my part, I’m betting all to the Senator’s next summer visit. I’ll try to send you in advance the date of his trip to D.R. so you can go after him. You have the capability to reach where I couldn’t.
I send you this information and I keep searching since I’m committed to my friends involved and I intend to help them. However, I’m disturbed by your long silence. I need to know if you are still interested. Otherwise, I’ll find other ways to make justice to these girls.
I look forward to your response.
From:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
To:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
Mrs. RHONDA SCHWARTZ:
Thanks so much for your understanding. I really believe you can handle things discreetly, so I trust you; but I need you to trust me and my sources. They know nothing about politics. In fact, I think I told you before, they didn’t even know who the Senator Menendez is.
Of course I understand your concerns, but I don,t belong to politics world either. Unfortunately, I knew about these facts recently, that,s why I couldn,t denounce them before. My sole interest is to do some justice to these girls, so close to my own daughters in age, by denouncing the Senator,s continuous unethical conduct.
This isn’t yet the best moment to meet, due to the matters I commented before, but I understand as much as you how important and necessary is to set up a face-to-face meeting, which we will arrange as soon as the conditions allow it.
With regard to the data you request about Dr. Melgen,s private yet, my sources don,t know those specifics. I searched myself on the web, but with no success. I assume you may have the proper tools and contacts to obtain that information. Anyway, in case I,ll find it, I,ll send it to you.
The girls I know are trying to make some distance from this circle, but since they have been in the business for a while, they have friends and know other girls who participate more frequently nowadays, and who might know beforehand the date the Senator plans to visit the country again. Therefore, I could, not always, but occasionally, warn you in advance on the matter. Through these girls I,ve known other interesting details that I,m trying to check upon before remitting them to you.
The property of Dr. Melgen that the Senator visits more often is in Casa de Campo, the same place where these activities take place. The exact address is: Ingenio 25, Casa de Campo, La Romana, D.R. (phone: 809- 523-8525)
The Senator,s last visit that I heard about was during the past Holy Week, and he stayed precisely at Ingenio 25. In other occasions, he uses another apartment, also property of Dr. Melgen, at Claudia Mitchell IV building, Fernando Escobar street, Ens. Lope de Vega, Santo Domingo, D.R.
About the last question you sent me, I assumed you had all the information I,ve passed to CREW so far, with abundant details of these visits. So, it strikes me you are asking about aspects and data I,ve already sent to them. I see no inconvenience in answering all your questions and doubts about it, but please tell me if you need I send you everything I have remitted to CREW, aside from other pieces of info I,ve learned in more recent dates, and that I,ll continue sharing with them.
About the trips, let me clear up they always travel together. The doctor disposes his private jet and the Senator takes it to visit DR in his pleasure trips, mostly on weekends. Since the Doctor lives in Florida, they coordinate and arrange their flights together.
I hope these pieces of info be useful for you. I repeat you can send me any question or concern you wish to clear up; I will gladly answer them and will help you in everything I can. I appreciate your confidence and openness. We will meet as soon as possible. I,m sure this work together will be worth the effort.
We will stay in touch.
Greetings.
Re: Hi!!
Friday, June 22, 2012 6:13 PM
From:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Dear Peter,
Please forgive me – just a little confusion – i misunderstood and was standing by to hear further from you. We are extremely interested and am trying to pursue with all resources and expertise at our disposal.
This new information is very, very helpful and finding out in advance the dates of the Senator’s next trip to the DR is hte key to our success. . Do you have any sense when that might be?
Presume he would go and come back before the presidential conventions.
Having the names of the women involved is extremely helpful — didn’t realize there was someone in Miami as well. Do you think Sveta knows the other women? Hard to find her with just first name but I’ll brainstorm. Presume these are all “professional” women? Prostitutes?
Have you tried to speak to the women in apartment 302?
Have one suggestion – what if we each purchase a disposable cell phone and exchange numbers? It would be very helpful for me if we can discuss the whole picture. I still stand ready to meet you at your convenience.
But meanwhile this is a high priority and I’m working on it at my end. Please rest assured that we are actively engaged and working on this.
Best regards,
Rhonda Schwartz
Cell 301-529-5434
From:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
To:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
Mrs. Schwartz:
I’m still trying to find out the next trip’s date. Almost sure it’ll be during summer season. I’m glad to know you’re still interested, ‘cause I was starting to believe you weren’t. Sveta does know other girls involved. The three girls I mentioned are prostitutes. I haven’t tried to talk to the women in the apartment. I’m concerned with raising an alert and bringing negative consequences to the investigation. Perhaps you know how to handle this without making too much noise and take advantage of that conversation.
We’ll stay in touch. Best wishes.
Out of Office: Hi!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012 10:18 PM
From:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
I’m out of the office until Monday July 9th but please feel free to leave a message. If it’s urgent please call Rym Momtaz at 212-456-1512.
Re: Hi!!
Thursday, July 19, 2012 11:55 AM
From:
“Schwartz, Rhonda” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
To:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
Hi Peter,
Just checking in. I’m on vacation but standing by if you can get any advance notice that the Senator will be making a trip to the D. R.
Just kindly drop me a line with any new I formation. I’m keeping an eye on my email.
Best
Rhonda Schwartz
Re: Are you still out there?
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 7:53 PM
From:
“Peter Williams” <p.williams605@yahoo.com>
To:
“RhondaSchwartz” <Rhonda.Schwartz@abc.com>
| Hello, Mrs. Rhonda Schwartz,
I appreciate your message and I´m glad you keep on interested in this issue. As you can see, I haven’t dropped off your radar. I keep working on this investigation, since you know I´m intended to take this process right to the end. For your update, I can tell you that since August 1st a US Federal institution launched a new inquiry. They ask me to collaborate and I´m supporting them with the collection of evidence and info about the activities of Senator Menendez with young prostitutes in Dominican Republic. This Federal inquiry has allowed me to cross-check the information my sources and I have provided, ratifying its truthfulness. I can assure you at least three aspects are irrefutable proofs of Senator Menendez´s misbehavior. 1- Senator Menendez has repeatedly received the services of young prostitutes in D.R., some of them minors even without his own knowledge. This girls look older, but they are actually around 16 or 17 years old. This is an actual fact. My sources were present in more than one occasion and they shared with the Senator (without knowing his political position). They have provided the exact dates of Menendez´s meetings with prostitutes, places, names of other participants, and even some of their phone numbers. They have fully detailed the role of Salomon Melgen in involving the Senator in this prostitution environment. 2- Senator Menendez shares a close friendship with Dr. Melgen, who is openly known in D.R. as a corrupt and addict to young prostitutes. Dr. Melgen is not only a political supporter, he´s also the economical supporter of a prostitution network of young Dominican, Russian, Brazilian, and Colombian girls. In his frequent trips to D.R. in the company of Senator Menendez, he´s hired the services of these prostitutes in his residences in Casa de Campo y Santo Domingo. The corrupt life of this Dominican doctor and his close ties with Senator Menendez are widely known in Dominican circles. 3- Senator Menendez has been traveling frequently to D.R. in Dr. Melgen´s private jet, a CL-600 Challenger, mostly accompanied by prostitutes from Miami working for Melgen. This are direct flights from Miami to La Romana airport, and then by car to Casa de Campo. The Federal Investigators in charge have some of the dates of these pleasure trips to the Dominican underworld, not properly reported in most cases. Rhonda, these are the facts. Nor Menendez or anybody else can deny them because my sources were direct witnesses. They have been so brave by telling me the details of their stories, and out of consideration to my relationship with them and their families, I can not push them to testify or speak openly about this. I´m still influencing for that, and I might succeed in case we guarantee the proper security for them. But we all know that, by testifying on this issue, they´d be risking their lives due to other Dominican politicians who could get involved as well. I´ve tried to carry out my duty as an American citizen, and I will not rest until justice is done. I believe the elements I´ve provided since the beginning to CREW, you, and to this Agency now, are sufficient for this ongoing investigation reveals and punishes Senator Menendez´s despicable conduct. I appreciate your interest and the time you have devoted to this matter. I trust ABC as well as you, to be worthy of what American public opinion expects. Best, PW |
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