Nadine Menendez Convicted in Bribery Scheme Involving Ex-Senator Husband
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
'Today's verdict sends the clear message that the power of government officials may not be put up for sale,' acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in a
Prosecutors said Nadine Menendez facilitated bribes from New Jersey businessmen to her husband in exchange for political influence—bribes that included a Mercedes-Benz convertible, hundreds of thousands in cash and gold, and a no-show job.
FBI agents uncovered much of the evidence during a 2022 raid on the couple'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 Menendez'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 Menendez'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 help—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 husband'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.
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