Bob Menendez And Wife Request Separate Trials For Bribery Charges

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his spouse are pushing for separate trials in the bribery allegations they’re contesting in a New York court. The duo was indicted last autumn for aiding New Jersey businessmen in return for bribes.

What Happened:  The New Jersey Democrat and his wife, Nadine, have called for separate trials due to apprehensions about spousal communications during cross-examination. Their legal team submitted the request on Monday. Both Sen. Menendez and Nadine pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to an AP News report on Tuesday.

The couple’s plea for separate trials comes after the senator’s lawyers sought to dismiss the charges, denouncing them as a “distortion of the truth.” Lawyers also requested the trial be relocated to New Jersey, where the majority of the alleged incidents took place.

"Worse yet, the government knows it. The government has buried evidence proving Senator Menendez's innocence, including evidence that directly undercuts the allegations in the Indictment. And the defense is prohibited from disclosing any of it to the public — necessitating a redacted filing under seal — even as the government has gone on its own media blitz to advance its false narrative," the senator’s lawyers said.

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Since the charges were first brought in September, Sen. Menendez has relinquished his leadership position in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The prosecution has since expanded the bribery charges, alleging that Menendez conspired with his wife and a businessman to covertly foster Egypt’s interests and acted favorably towards the Qatari government to aid a businessman.

The prosecution’s response to the pre-trial motions is awaited in the forthcoming weeks. The trial is set to commence in May.

Why It Matters: The indictment of Sen. Menendez and his wife on bribery charges is scheduled for trial in May 2024. The indictment alleges that the couple received bribes in various forms, including cash, gold, contributions toward a home mortgage, a luxury vehicle and other items of value. Furthermore, it is claimed that one of the alleged bribes included compensation for a low- or no-show job for Nadine Menendez.

The charges have raised questions about Sen. Menendez’s political career, and his step down from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership role reflects the seriousness of the situation. The allegations have also cast a shadow on the upcoming 2024 presidential election, as another high-profile Democrat faces serious charges.

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