Prosecutors in the corruption case against Sen. Bob Menendez have asked a judge to hold a hearing to determine whether some evidence should be withheld or restricted due to possible national security concerns.

The Justice Department filed the notice Thursday with U.S. District Judge William Walls in Newark.

The judge could take the step of restricting access to some evidence by Menendez's attorneys, or deny it altogether.

Menendez was charged in April with crimes including conspiracy and bribery for allegedly accepting gifts from a Florida ophthalmologist in return for political favors. He has pleaded not guilty.

A trial is tentatively scheduled for October in Newark. Menendez's attorneys are due to file pretrial motions later this month to have the charges dismissed, which could delay the start of a trial.