Nadine Menendez, wife of former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, has been found guilty in her federal bribery trial, following her husband’s earlier conviction on similar charges. A jury delivered the verdict Monday afternoon, after deliberations began late Friday.
The trial exposed a wide-reaching corruption scheme involving cash, gold bars, a luxury car, and foreign influence — all allegedly accepted in exchange for political favors from Senator Menendez.
The Verdict and What Comes Next
Nadine Menendez was convicted on multiple federal charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit bribery
- Conspiracy to commit honest services fraud
- Conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right
Some of these charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for June, the same month her husband will begin serving his 11-year prison sentence.
A “Partnership in Crime,” Say Prosecutors
Federal prosecutors described Nadine and Bob Menendez as “partners in crime”, operating a bribery scheme that stretched over five years.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky:
“Nadine Menendez agreed to accept and accepted all sorts of bribes — including gold bars, cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and a no-show job — all in exchange for the Senator’s corrupt official acts.”
Podolsky added that both Nadine and Bob Menendez put their own interests and greed ahead of the citizens they were supposed to serve.
Key Evidence and Trial Testimony
Investigators discovered $70,000 in cash in a safe deposit box under Nadine’s name and more hidden in congressional jackets belonging to Bob Menendez.
Federal prosecutors said that Nadine helped connect Egyptian officials with her husband soon after they started dating in 2018. Those meetings allegedly helped arrange a corrupt agreement where the Menendezes received bribes in exchange for actions that benefited Egypt.
One key witness in the trial was Jose Uribe, a New Jersey businessman who pleaded guilty and testified for the government. Uribe admitted he paid for Nadine’s $60,000 Mercedes-Benz to help halt a criminal investigation into his own business.
Delays Due to Health Issues
Nadine Menendez was originally scheduled to stand trial alongside her husband, but her proceedings were postponed due to breast cancer treatment. The court granted her a separate trial after multiple health-related delays, including recent reconstructive surgery.
Former Senator Bob Menendez criticized the timing of his wife’s trial, calling it “cruel and inhumane”, and said the government should have allowed her to fully recover before proceeding.