By Emily Sims
New York, NY – Nadine Menendez, 58, the wife of former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, was found guilty on all 15 counts against her in a New York court on Monday for her role in a long-running bribery scheme. The charges included bribery and obstruction of justice, stemming from accusations that she aided her husband in accepting lavish gifts, including cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for political favors.
The jury’s verdict marks another significant blow in the case, following Robert Menendez’s conviction in July 2024, where he was sentenced to 11 years in prison. The couple was initially indicted in September 2023, but Nadine Menendez’s trial was delayed due to breast cancer treatment.
“Today’s verdict sends the clear message that the power of government officials may not be put up for sale,” stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, emphasizing that the couple were “partners in crime” who engaged in “corrupt official acts.”
Prosecutors successfully argued that Nadine Menendez was a crucial component of the bribery scheme, often acting as the intermediary, accepting cash and other valuables on behalf of her husband. At the time, Robert Menendez held a powerful position as the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wielding significant influence over U.S. foreign policy.
“She was keeping him in the loop every step of the way,” prosecutor Paul M. Monteleoni told the jury during closing arguments, according to the New York Times.
The defense argued that the government failed to establish a direct link between the gold, cash, and any “official act” taken by the former senator. “We fought hard and it hurts,” said Barry Coburn, Nadine Menendez’s lawyer, outside the courthouse. “This is a very rough day for us.”
The prosecution built their case on evidence unearthed during a 2022 FBI search of the couple’s New Jersey home, which revealed over $100,000 worth of gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, some stashed in envelopes and hidden within clothing. Digital evidence, including incriminating text messages between the couple and a Google search by Robert Menendez for “How much is one kilo of gold worth?” further bolstered the government’s claims.
The case centered around allegations that the Menendez couple secretly aided the Egyptian government, with Robert Menendez allegedly leveraging his position in Washington. Fred Daibes, a New Jersey property developer, and Wael Hana, the Egyptian-born operator of a halal certification company, were also charged and convicted for their involvement in the scheme. Insurance broker Jose Uribe pleaded guilty in March 2024 to related charges.
Nadine Menendez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12th.
