A New York jury began deliberations on Friday in the corruption trial of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, who is accused of accepting bribes, including gold bars and cash, in exchange for political favors.
Federal prosecutors allege that the New Jersey Democrat used his influence to assist Egypt in securing U.S. military aid and to intervene in criminal investigations benefiting two businessmen who bribed him.
Menendez faces 16 criminal charges, including bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction. He has pleaded not guilty. His defense attorneys claim his actions were standard for a senator and have shifted blame onto his wife, Nadine Menendez, whom prosecutors describe as an intermediary for the bribes.
Despite the outcome, Menendez's political career appears jeopardized. He resigned as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following the charges in September and has resisted calls to step down. Running as an independent for re-election in November, he is considered a long shot.
During the nine-week trial, jurors examined gold bars seized from Menendez's home and heard testimony from insurance broker Jose Uribe, who admitted buying Nadine Menendez a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz in exchange for quashing a criminal probe. An FBI agent recounted Nadine asking Egyptian officials how her husband could assist them further.
Prosecutor Paul Monteleoni argued that Menendez abused his power for personal gain. Menendez's defense contended that he withdrew and stored cash at home, a habit from his parents who fled Cuba. They argued the gold bars found were in Nadine's possession and that the couple led largely separate lives.
Nadine Menendez, also pleading not guilty, faces trial in August. Uribe has pleaded guilty, while businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes are co-defendants in the trial.
This is Menendez's second corruption trial; a previous bribery case ended in a mistrial in 2017. If convicted, he could face decades in prison, with sentencing to be determined by U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein based on various factors.
