A high-ranking State Department official took the stand Thursday in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez.

Prosecutors say Sen. Menendez was trying to help his co-defendant Salomon Melgen with his company's problems in exchange for bribes.

Ambassador to Guatemala Todd Robinson testified that he was one of the State Department officials contacted by Sen. Menendez's office in 2011. Robinson testified that Menendez wanted his office to be up-to-date on information concerning Melgen's company. Melgen owned a security company that was involved in a contract dispute with the Dominican government.

Prosecutors are now going over the actions of the senator's office.

Sen. Menendez and Melgen have pleaded not guilty in the case.