Nadine Menendez Convicted in Bribery Scheme Involving Ex-Senator Husband

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A federal jury found Nadine Menendez guilty in a high-stakes corruption case tied to her husband and former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.

Nadine Menendez, the wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), was convicted on April 21 on multiple federal corruption charges for her role in what prosecutors called a years-long bribery and foreign influence scheme involving luxury gifts, gold bars, and political favors.

A unanimous jury in Manhattan found Menendez, 58, guilty on all counts after a three-week trial, marking a dramatic fall for the once-prominent couple. The verdict comes less than a year after her husband was convicted of similar charges and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
ā€œTodayā€™s verdict sends the clear message that the power of government officials may not be put up for sale,ā€ acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in a statement. ā€œNadine Menendez and Senator Menendez were partners in crime.ā€
Prosecutors said Nadine Menendez facilitated bribes from New Jersey businessmen to her husband in exchange for political influenceā€”bribes that included a Mercedes-Benz convertible, hundreds of thousands in cash and gold, and a no-show job. In return, they said, Bob Menendez took official actions to benefit the men and even acted as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government.

FBI agents uncovered much of the evidence during a 2022 raid on the coupleā€™s Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home, where they found $480,000 in cash hidden in clothing and shoeboxes, as well as gold bars and the luxury car that prosectuors said were bribes.

The Menendezes have denied wrongdoing. Bob Menendez has vowed to appeal his conviction, while Nadine Menendezā€™s legal team has not yet announced whether she will do the same.

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Speaking to reporters outside the court on Monday, Nadine Menendezā€™s lawyer, Barry Coburn, expressed disappointment in the outcome. Sentencing is scheduled for June 12, just days after her husband is expected to report to federal prison.

At trial, prosecutors argued that Nadine Menendez played a central role in orchestrating bribes from three New Jersey businessmen: real estate developer Fred Daibes, meat certification executive Wael Hana, and insurance broker Jose Uribe. All three businessmen were indicted alongside the Menendezes. While Daibes and Hana were convicted, Uribe pleaded guilty and cooperated with the government.

The bribery scheme, according to evidence presented in court, began in early 2018, shortly after Nadine and Bob Menendez began dating. Nadine, facing foreclosure on her home and in need of a car after a fatal crash in which she was not charged, turned to Hana and Uribe for financial helpā€”help that prosecutors said came with strings attached.

In exchange, Bob Menendez pressured state and federal officials to drop investigations, help preserve monopolies, and advance foreign interests. Prosecutors said he even ghostwrote a letter for Egyptian officials to lobby his Senate colleagues to release $300 million in U.S. military aid.

Prosecutors described Nadine Menendez as a critical conduit who enabled her husbandā€™s corrupt dealings with businessmen seeking favors. While her attorney argued that the evidence was insufficient and that the favors performed were simply services politicians are supposed to do for their constituents, the jury disagreed.

Original News Source Link – Epoch Times

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