Allies of Sen. Bob Menendez working to build support, raise funds after federal indictment

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez waits to speak outside federal court, Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Newark, N.J. Menendez, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was indicted on corruption charges, accused of using his office to improperly benefit an eye doctor and political donor. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

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U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, left, leaves federal court, Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Newark, N.J. Menendez, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was indicted on corruption charges, accused of using his office to improperly benefit an eye doctor and political donor. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, right, leaves federal court, Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Newark, N.J. Menendez, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was indicted on corruption charges, accused of using his office to improperly benefit an eye doctor and political donor. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

NEWARK, N.J. – Allies of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez have launched a coordinated public relations campaign to support him through what is likely to be a long and expensive legal fight over a litany of federal corruption charges.

Menendez pleaded not guilty Thursday to the charges.

His supporters have been working quietly behind the scenes since details of a pending indictment were leaked to reporters in early March.

The allies say they were inundated with requests to help once news of the indictments broke. They've since helped to coordinate numerous statements from local and national officials and launched a website: istandwithbob.com.

The site was paid for by the Menendez for Senate campaign committee and launched by a longtime Menendez adviser who managed his 2012 re-election campaign.