Prosecutors and protection attorneys delivered closing arguments as we speak within the bribery trial of Nadine Menendez, spouse of former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-M.J., who’s accused of serving to dealer offers that offered the senator’s affect in change for gold bars, envelopes of money, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
The previous senator—who was not current and was sentenced in a separate trial to 11 years in jail on bribery, performing as a overseas agent, and obstruction prices—was repeatedly referenced throughout the federal government’s summation. Nadine Menendez, who faces comparable prices, sat quietly within the courtroom between her two attorneys, sporting a pink face masks.
Prosecutor Paul Monteleoni delivered the federal government’s closing argument over a number of hours, calling Bob Menendez his spouse’s “associate in crime.” He walked the jury via all 18 prices in opposition to Nadine Menendez, alleging that she acted as a dealer, promoting her husband’s political energy in a sequence of schemes.
PROSECUTORS AGREE TO POSTPONE NADINE MENENDEZ’S TRIAL AFTER LAWYERS SAID SHE HAS A ‘SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION’
Nadine Menendez, spouse of former Senator Robert Menendez, exits federal court docket in New York, US, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg through Getty Photographs)
Prosecutors mentioned the misconduct included serving to a New Jersey-based Halal certifier pursue a monopoly, interfering in a state-level felony case, and ghostwriting a letter for the Egyptian authorities to assist preserve U.S. assist.
In return, Monteleoni advised jurors, Nadine Menendez acquired envelopes of money, 1-kilogram gold bars, a high-paying job, and a luxurious convertible.
“She did it so she might get a convertible,” Monteleoni mentioned. In closing, he added, “The defendant is responsible on each depend.”
Former U.S. senator Bob Menendez speaks to the press after his sentencing on a bribery conviction in New York, United States on January 29, 2025. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu through Getty Photographs)
SEN MENENDEZ CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE IN ANOTHER SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT
Barry Coburn, representing the protection, argued that the federal government had utilized overly broad definitions of “official acts” and “quid professional quo.” He claimed most of what was alleged concerned routine political habits. “Menendez should and shouldn’t be discovered responsible of any of them,” Coburn advised the jury.
He particularly pushed again on the declare {that a} assembly between former Sen. Menendez and New Jersey Legal professional Common Gurbir Grewal amounted to an official act.
“This stuff are unproven on this case,” Coburn mentioned, including: “The rule of legislation mandates acquittal on these counts.”
Nadine Menendez, spouse of former Senator Bob Menendez, arrives for her trial at Manhattan Federal Court docket on March 19, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)
The protection additionally questioned the credibility of Jose Uribe, a cooperating authorities witness, saying a lot of his testimony lacked corroboration. Coburn pointed to a dinner the place Uribe claimed the previous senator advised him, “I saved your ass, not as soon as however twice.” Coburn argued that such statements had been unverified and unreliable.
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Decide Sidney H. Stein is scheduled to ship jury directions on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m., after which deliberations will start.
