Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, was found guilty on all 15 counts she faced, including bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. A Manhattan jury decided the verdict. It unraveled the detailed string of corruption linking her and her husband.
Nadine Menendez, 58, awaiting conviction on federal charges for a bribery scheme. This arrangement supposedly began in early 2018, just as her out-of-the-blue courtship with Senator Bob Menendez was taking off. Prosecutors found evidence that she had taken at least $500,000 in bribes. In exchange, she turned to her husband’s political connections to enact a cushy visa program for Egyptian officials and business interests to settle in New Jersey.
Nadine Menendez, the case revealed, was added to the payroll of Jose Uribe’s business interests. This step was a central piece of their deal. In exchange for her husband’s lobbying, she was awarded a gold mine with 12 million dollars in royalties and a luxury Mercedes-Benz courtesy of Uribe. The scheme further involved Senator Menendez using his clout to pressure the New Jersey attorney general’s office to halt investigations into Uribe’s associates.
Nadine Menendez was set to go to trial alongside her husband. Yet, her trial has been delayed because she is undergoing treatment for stage 2 breast cancer. During the court proceedings, we learned that she delivered requests and instructions from Egyptian officials straight to Senator Menendez’s ears.
In July, her husband was convicted on unrelated charges. These charges were tied to his efforts to speed up Egypt getting their U.S. military aid. Senator Menendez, convicted in July of bribery and other crimes, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January. The next month, he left the Senate.
Nadine Menendez with her sentencing on June 12, imposed by U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein. Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky summed up their conspiracy in simple yet powerful terms.
“Nadine Menendez and Senator Menendez were partners in crime.” – Matthew Podolsky, acting Manhattan US Attorney
Following the verdict, Nadine Menendez was flanked by her lawyer, Barry Coburn, at her side. Paige wearing a pink mask as she processed the court’s ruling.
