democrats just a -- facing corruption charges. >> tonight one of the most influential democrats in washington, senator robert menendez in new jersey has been indicted, facing criminal corruption charges. >> reporter: it has implications on what the u.s. senate could be. >> the trial begins in the first federal bribery case involving a sitting senator in more than three decades. >> federal prosecutors touted a strong case with a range of evidence showing menendez took $751,000 from a doctor who wasn't in menendez's state. prosecutors argue this is quit pro quo, the legal strategy was what everyone thought of the underlying activity, it was friends vacationing not a donor giving benefits. >> this jury would not could not and did not return a verdict