Prosecutors and defense attorneys held today’s discussion at the bribery trial of Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Bob Menendez, who is accused of supporting a broker’s dealings that sold the senator’s influence in exchange for gold sticks, cash envelopes and Meldes-Benz convertibles.
The former senator was not present, acting as a bribery, foreign agent, sentenced to another trial in 11 years prison for obstruction charges, and was repeatedly referred to during government totals. Facing similar charges, Nadine Menendez, dressed in a pink face mask, sat quietly in the courtroom between the two lawyers.
Prosecutor Paul Monteroni presented the government’s final argument over several hours, calling Bob Menendez his wife’s “criminal partner.” He walked all 18 crimes against Nadine Menendez to the ju judge, claiming that she acted as a broker and sold her husband’s political power in a series of schemes.
Prosecutors agree to postpone Nadine Menendez’s trial after the lawyer says he has “serious medical conditions.”
Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Robert Menendez, will leave federal court in New York, USA on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Prosecutors said the misconduct includes helping New Jersey-based Halal Certificates pursue monopoly, interfering in state-level criminal cases, and helping the Egyptian government write letters to maintain US aid.
In return, Montereoni told the ju umpire that Nadine Menendez received cash, a kilogram gold bar, a well-paid job and a gorgeous convertible envelope.
“She did that so she could get a convertible,” Monteroni said. Finally, he added, “The defendant is guilty of all counts.”
Former US Senator Bob Menendez speaks to the press after his sentence on January 29, 2025 on a bribery conviction in New York, USA (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu by Getty Images)
Senmenendes was accused of obstructing justice in another modest indictment
Barry Cobain, representative of defense, argued that the government had applied an overly broad definition of “official conduct” and “Quid Pro Quo.” He argued that most of what was claimed involved daily political behavior. “Menendez must and should not be found guilty of any of them,” Cobain told the ju judge.
He specifically pushed back the allegations that a meeting between former Senator Menendez and New Jersey Attorney General Gerville grewal was equivalent to official conduct.
“In this case, these things have not been proven,” Cobain said, adding that “the rule of law will acquitte on these counts.”
Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Bob Menendez, arrives for trial in Manhattan Federal Court on March 19, 2025 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The defense also questioned the credibility of Jose Uribe, a cooperative witness for the government, saying it was not supported by many of his testimonies. Cobain pointed to dinner and Uribe said the former senator told him, “I saved your ass not just once, but twice.” Coburn argued that such a statement was unverified and unreliable.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Judge Sidney H. Stein is scheduled to give the ju judge’s direction at 9:30am on Friday, and deliberations will begin after that.
Source link
