Nadine Menendez Convicted in Bribery Scheme Involving Ex-Senator Husband

The federal ry judge has been found guilty in a high stakes corruption case in which Nadine Menendez was linked to her husband and former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.

Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Bob Menendez (DN.J.), was convicted on April 21 of multiple federal corruption charges for her role that prosecutors called a long-standing bribery and foreign influence scheme, including luxury gifts, gold sticks and political benefits.

A unanimous ju umpire in Manhattan found Menendez, 58, guilty in all cases after a three-week trial, showing a dramatic fall on the once-famous couple. The verdict comes less than a year after her husband was convicted of similar charges and sentenced to 11 years.

“Today’s verdict sends a clear message that the power of government officials may not be sold,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolski said in a statement. “Nadine Menendez and Senator Menendez were partners in crime.”

Prosecutors said Nadine Menendez promoted bribes from New Jersey businessmen to her husband in exchange for political influence. In return, they said that Bob Menendez took official action to benefit the men and even acted as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government.

FBI agents found much of the evidence that when they attacked the cliffs in Englewood, New Jersey in 2022, they found $480,000 in cash hidden in clothing and shoeboxes.

Menendez denied any misconduct. Bob Menendez has vowed to appeal his beliefs, but Nadine Menendez’s legal team has yet to announce whether she will do the same.

Speaking to reporters outside the court on Monday, Nadine Menendez’s lawyer Barry Cobain expressed his disappointment at the outcome. The sentence is scheduled for June 12, just days after her husband reports to federal prison.

At the trial, prosecutors argued that Nadine Menendez played a central role in organizing the bribes for three New Jersey businessmen: real estate developer Fred Daibes, Meat certified executive Wael Hana, and insurance broker Jose Uribe. All three businessmen were charged with Menendez. Dave and Hana were found guilty, but Uribe pleaded guilty and cooperated with the government.

The bribery scheme began in early 2018 shortly after Nadine and Bob Menendez began dating, according to evidence presented in the court. Nadine faces foreclosure at her home and turns to Hana and Uribe for financial assistance as she needs a car after a fatal crash that she has not been charged with.

In exchange, Bob Menendez put pressure on state and federal officials to stop investigating, maintain monopoly and advance foreign interests. Prosecutors said he even ghostwriting Egyptian officials lobbying Senate colleagues to release $300 million in US aid.

Prosecutors described Nadine Menendez as a key conduit that allowed her husband’s corrupt deal with businessmen seeking bounty. Her lawyer argued that the evidence was insufficient and that the benefits made were merely to be made by politicians for their members, but the ju judge disagreed.