NEW YORK (AP) – Opening statements are set to begin on Monday in the bribery trial of Nadine Menendez. Nadine, 58, is the wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, who is currently facing prison time after being convicted of bribery. Bob Menendez has voiced concerns about the treatment of his wife by Manhattan federal prosecutors, describing the situation as unfair.
Nadine Menendez was initially scheduled to stand trial last year alongside her husband. However, her trial was postponed due to a diagnosis of breast cancer and subsequent surgery. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges that claim she was involved in the bribery scheme linked to her husband's conviction.
In a statement on the social media platform X prior to jury selection, Bob Menendez expressed his frustrations, saying, "My wife, who had breast cancer reconstructive surgery just days ago, is being forced by the government to go to trial tomorrow." He criticized the Southern District of New York (SDNY) for what he described as "cruel and inhumane" treatment, urging authorities to allow his wife to recover fully before proceeding with the trial.
Bob Menendez, 71, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January 2023 for accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three New Jersey businessmen. In return for these bribes, Menendez was found to have used his influence to assist the businessmen with foreign government dealings. He was also convicted of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. After his conviction, he resigned from his Senate seat, and a judge postponed the start of his prison term until June 6, 2023, so he could attend his wife's trial.
Throughout Bob Menendez's two-month trial, his wife was mentioned frequently concerning her interactions with the businessmen involved in the scheme. One businessman testified that he purchased a luxury car for Nadine after Bob Menendez attempted to persuade New Jersey prosecutors to drop a criminal investigation into one of the businessman’s associates.
In 2022, the FBI conducted a raid on the Menendez home located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The agents discovered over $100,000 in gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash hidden in various locations within the house, including envelopes, shoeboxes, jackets, and boots. During his trial, Bob Menendez claimed that the gold belonged to Nadine and that the cash was a result of his practice of hoarding money due to his family's history of fleeing Cuba in 1951 with only the belongings they could conceal in a grandfather clock.
Bob Menendez, who previously successfully fought another corruption charge a decade ago, has aligned himself with Donald Trump’s critiques of the judicial system, especially regarding New York City. He directed criticism towards the President in a March 17 post on X, stating, "This process is political, and it’s corrupted to the core." After his sentencing, he expressed hope that President Trump would address issues within the judicial system to restore its integrity.
As Nadine Menendez's trial begins, the focus is now on the charges against her and the implications they may have on her future, as well as the ongoing legal battles facing her husband.
