Prosecutors In The Federal Corruption Trial Of Sen. Bob Menendez Expected To Start Their Closing Summations Today

Monday, July 8, 2024, 11:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent, News,

MANHATTAN, NY.- The federal corruption and bribery trial of Senator Bob Menendez is coming to a close, as closing arguments are expected to begin Monday afternoon in Manhattan Federal Criminal Court.

     Following nearly seven weeks of trial, the defense rested its case, with Menendez not taking the stand to testify in his defenses.

     During the trial, Manhattan federal prosecutors say, the 70-year-old New Jersey Senator sought to help Egypt secure billions of dollars in U.S. military aid and assistance and aid the businesses and legal interests of three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold bars, and car and mortgage payments.

     At trial, jurors were shown gold bars that federal agents seized from Menendez’s home. The agents also located $480,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes inside his Senator’s jacket pocket displaying his name on the front. 

     Menendez pleaded not guilty to 16 federal criminal charges that included bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction. He was charged in September 2023, along with his wife Nadine and three New Jersey businessmen.

     Lawyers for Menendez have sought to shift the blame toward his wife, Nadine Menendez who prosecutors say he used to act as a go-between for the bribes. Nadine Menendez, who will be tried separately has also pleaded guilty and has been scheduled for trial in August.

     Although Menendez has faced a criminal case in the past and came under suspicion in other allegations, this case will likely end the three-term Democratic Senator’s career. Menendez resigned as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee shortly after being charged.

     Jurors also heard testimony from Jose Uribe, an insurance broker who pleaded guilty to bribing Menendez. Uribe testified that he bought Menendez’s wife a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz for Menendez to use his influence to shield Uribe’s associates from State Criminal Probes.

     During testimony, Uribe stated that Bob Menendez told him, “I saved your ass,” during a dinner in 2020, at a New Jersey restaurant. 

     A final witness was due to testify this morning, and then Prosecutors will begin closing arguments.