Time someone did a study on how much money elected Congresspeople were worth when first elected to office, and how much they were worth after being re-elected at least one time.

I read somewhere that the majority of sitting Congresspeople are worth over $5M, yet most came to DC worth under $1M. (Notice how the more power Marco Rubio acquires, the fatter he becomes.)

The most surefire way for a business and its owner(s) to make money is to get in with a lobbyist firm and get special riders put into laws favoring them. For example - there is no question that Silicon Valley companies are the new Robber Barons, whose monopolies are being shielded by influential people in DC. They badly need to be broken up and regulated. Teapot Dome has nothing on this version of Washington, DC. 

As for Mr. Menendez - I'm sure all the foxy babes were attracted to him for his good looks, incredible physique, classy dressing, erudite speaking style, and hope that  he would introduce them to Cryin' Chuck.