Prosecutors and defense attorneys delivered closing arguments today in the bribery trial of Nadine Menendez, wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-M.J., who is accused of helping broker deals that sold the senator’s influence in exchange for gold bars, envelopes of cash, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
The former senator—who was not present and was sentenced in a separate trial to 11 years in prison on bribery, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction charges—was repeatedly referenced during the government’s summation. Nadine Menendez, who faces similar charges, sat quietly in the courtroom between her two attorneys, wearing a pink face mask.
Prosecutor Paul Monteleoni delivered the government’s closing argument over several hours, calling Bob Menendez his wife’s « partner in crime. » He walked the jury through all 18 charges against Nadine Menendez, alleging that she acted as a broker, selling her husband’s political power in a series of schemes.
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Prosecutors said the misconduct included helping a New Jersey-based Halal certifier pursue a monopoly, interfering in a state-level criminal case, and ghostwriting a letter for the Egyptian government to help maintain U.S. aid.
In return, Monteleoni told jurors, Nadine Menendez received envelopes of cash, 1-kilogram gold bars, a high-paying job, and a luxury convertible.
« She did it so she could get a convertible, » Monteleoni said. In closing, he added, « The defendant is guilty on every count. »
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Barry Coburn, representing the defense, argued that the government had applied overly broad definitions of « official acts » and « quid pro quo. » He claimed most of what was alleged involved routine political behavior. « Menendez must and should not be found guilty of any of them, » Coburn told the jury.
He specifically pushed back on the claim that a meeting between former Sen. Menendez and New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal amounted to an official act.
« These things are unproven in this case, » Coburn said, adding: « The rule of law mandates acquittal on those counts. »
The defense also questioned the credibility of Jose Uribe, a cooperating government witness, saying much of his testimony lacked corroboration. Coburn pointed to a dinner where Uribe claimed the former senator told him, « I saved your ass, not once but twice. » Coburn argued that such statements were unverified and unreliable.
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Judge Sidney H. Stein is scheduled to deliver jury instructions on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m., after which deliberations will begin.
Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bribery-trial-nadine-menendez-reaches-closing-arguments-partner-crime
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Publish date : 2025-04-18 04:49:00
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