Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., tried to pin the blame on his wife during opening statements in his ongoing corruption trial.
Menendez went on trial this week for corruption and faces 18 criminal charges, including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent.
His lawyer, Avi Weitzman, told the jury that his wife, Nadine, “knew nothing about him” when it came to financial matters and that they lived separate lives.
“Let me talk about Nadine: Nadine had financial problems, but she hid them from Bob,” he said. “The administration’s accusation that the Senator betrayed his office and his loyalty to this country is profoundly false. Bob is doing his job, and he’s doing it right.
Day Four: Menendez Trial – Manhattan Federal Court
– Gold bars and their owners were a hot topic during Wednesday’s opening arguments.The defense said they were Nadine’s and were locked in her wardrobe at the couple’s home, and that Bob knew nothing about them. @News12NJ pic.twitter.com/d41d385kcH
— Chris Keating (@ChrisKeatingNJ) May 16, 2024
However, prosecutor Lara Pomerantz accused Menendez of “selling his power” and using his wife as a middleman to exchange political influence for money, gold bars and other valuables.
“For years, he betrayed the people he was supposed to serve by taking bribes,” she said. “This is not ordinary politics. This is politics for profit. This is a U.S. senator who is under investigation.
Senator Bob Menendez may reportedly blame his wife for alleged crimes in his corruption trial.
Menendez is accused of accepting bribes.
Prior to prosecution, we discovered that he sold solid gold bars worth up to $400,000. pic.twitter.com/bT2x13HfHI
— Quiver Quant (@QuiverQuant) April 17, 2024
Investigators executed a search warrant at his home in September and found more than $480,000 in cash hidden in clothing, as well as 13 gold bars worth more than $100,000. Detectives also discovered other lavish gifts, including a Mercedes-Benz and various household items.
Prosecutors argued that the items found were provided in return for acting on behalf of the Egyptian government. They also accuse him of accepting bribes from the Gulf state of Qatar.
Menendez is on trial along with Fred Daibes, a New Jersey real estate developer, and businessman Wael Hana. He is accused of transporting gold and cash to the senator, while businessman Val Hana is accused of facilitating transactions between Menendez and Egypt.
Both men also entered not guilty pleas.
The trial continues.
