A federal jury discovered Nadine Menendez responsible in a high-stakes corruption case tied to her husband and former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.
Nadine Menendez, the spouse of former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), was convicted on April 21 on a number of federal corruption fees for her position in what prosecutors referred to as a years-long bribery and international affect scheme involving luxurious items, gold bars, and political favors.
FBI brokers uncovered a lot of the proof throughout a 2022 raid on the couple’s Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, residence, the place they discovered $480,000 in money hidden in clothes and shoeboxes, in addition to gold bars and the luxurious automobile that prosectuors mentioned had been bribes.
The Menendezes have denied wrongdoing. Bob Menendez has vowed to enchantment his conviction, whereas Nadine Menendez’s authorized crew has not but introduced whether or not she’s going to do the identical.
Talking to reporters outdoors the court docket on Monday, Nadine Menendez’s lawyer, Barry Coburn, expressed disappointment within the end result. Sentencing is scheduled for June 12, simply days after her husband is predicted to report back to federal jail.
At trial, prosecutors argued that Nadine Menendez performed a central position in orchestrating bribes from three New Jersey businessmen: actual property developer Fred Daibes, meat certification government Wael Hana, and insurance coverage dealer Jose Uribe. All three businessmen had been indicted alongside the Menendezes. Whereas Daibes and Hana had been convicted, Uribe pleaded responsible and cooperated with the federal government.
The bribery scheme, in accordance with proof introduced in court docket, started in early 2018, shortly after Nadine and Bob Menendez started courting. Nadine, going through foreclosures on her residence and in want of a automobile after a deadly crash wherein she was not charged, turned to Hana and Uribe for monetary assist—assist that prosecutors mentioned got here with strings connected.
In change, Bob Menendez pressured state and federal officers to drop investigations, assist protect monopolies, and advance international pursuits. Prosecutors mentioned he even ghostwrote a letter for Egyptian officers to foyer his Senate colleagues to launch $300 million in U.S. navy help.
Prosecutors described Nadine Menendez as a vital conduit who enabled her husband’s corrupt dealings with businessmen in search of favors. Whereas her lawyer argued that the proof was inadequate and that the favors carried out had been merely providers politicians are purported to do for his or her constituents, the jury disagreed.