Nadine Menendez, wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, faced conviction on Monday for collaborating with her husband to accept bribes, which came in the form of cash, gold bars, and a luxury vehicle. These bribes were allegedly provided by three New Jersey men seeking assistance with their business ventures and legal challenges.
The verdict was delivered at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, the same venue where Bob Menendez was convicted on similar charges last year. The Democrat is slated to commence an 11-year prison sentence in June.
The trial, lasting three weeks, detailed the couple’s relationship from its onset in early 2018, continuing through the point when criminal charges were levied in September 2023. Prosecutors frequently described them as “partners in crime.”
A 2022 FBI raid on the Menendez home in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, uncovered significant amounts of gold and cash, totaling nearly $150,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in cash, hidden in various locations throughout their residence. A Mercedes-Benz convertible, reportedly a bribe, was also found in their garage.
Both Nadine and Bob Menendez have maintained their innocence, denying any acceptance of bribes. Originally, they were to be tried alongside the three businessmen, but Nadine’s trial was postponed due to her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery.
Bob Menendez, aged 71, resigned from the Senate in August following his conviction. Prior to the charges, he served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Prosecutors accused Nadine Menendez of initiating bribes to the senator around the time they began their relationship, prior to their marriage in the fall of 2020. At that time, she faced the potential loss of her home due to nearly $20,000 in missed mortgage payments. A longtime friend, Wael Hana, provided financial assistance, allegedly in exchange for the senator’s help in securing a business monopoly with the Egyptian government for certifying imported meat.
Nadine Menendez also required a new vehicle after her previous one was destroyed in an accident. Prosecutors claimed businessman Jose Uribe provided her with a Mercedes-Benz, and in exchange, Bob Menendez used his influence to halt investigations into Uribe’s associates.
Additional bribes, involving cash and gold, were reportedly paid by Fred Daibes, a real estate developer seeking the senator’s protection from legal issues in New Jersey. Bob Menendez also allegedly assisted Daibes in obtaining a $95 million investment from a Qatari fund.
Prosecutors depicted Nadine Menendez as integral to the bribery scheme, facilitating communication between the senator, businessmen, and Egyptian officials. Bob Menendez was additionally convicted of acting on behalf of the Egyptian government, including efforts to mollify U.S. senators’ concerns over human rights abuses and military aid.
Nadine Menendez’s defense, led by attorney Barry Coburn, argued that the evidence presented was insufficient for a conviction, suggesting the senator’s interactions were typical political actions for constituents.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Richenthal urged the jury to convict Nadine Menendez, describing the evidence against her as “consistent and overwhelming.” Jose Uribe pleaded guilty and testified against the others. Wael Hana and Fred Daibes were convicted alongside Senator Menendez, with Hana receiving an eight-year sentence and Daibes sentenced to seven years in prison.