In New York, the trial commenced for Nadine Menendez, accused alongside her husband, former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, of accepting bribes in the form of cash and gold bars. During opening statements on Monday, a prosecutor described the couple as “partners in crime.” Bob Menendez was convicted last year for accepting substantial bribes from three businessmen in New Jersey. This trial focuses on Nadine Menendez, whose earlier proceedings were delayed due to her breast cancer diagnosis.
Prosecutor Lara Pomerantz argued that Nadine Menendez played a central role, conducting much of the illicit activities for her husband, who is set to begin an 11-year prison sentence in June. However, defense attorney Barry Coburn contended that the government’s evidence would not substantiate the charges against Nadine Menendez, claiming their depiction of events was both erroneous and misleading. Nadine has denied the allegations, maintaining her innocence in the bribery case leading to her husband’s conviction.
Originally from Lebanon with Armenian roots, Nadine began dating the senator in early 2018. Prosecutors claim she soon became part of a bribery plot involving a businessman she had known independently before her relationship with Bob Menendez. The couple’s engagement took place at India’s Taj Mahal in 2019, leading to their marriage a year later. They initially met at an IHOP in Union City, New Jersey, when she was Nadine Arslanian.
The prosecution alleges that Nadine collaborated with Bob Menendez to exploit his political influence for financial gain, particularly given his long-standing role in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Pomerantz emphasized that these were not routine political dealings but corrupt activities motivated by profit. Social media posts last week revealed Bob Menendez’s discontent that his wife’s trial proceeded following her recent surgery for breast cancer. He criticized the timing as inhumane.
Further accusations suggest the couple received bribes to assist businessman Wael Hana in maintaining control over inspections of U.S. meat exports to Egypt. This connection prompted Bob Menendez’s conviction for acting as an agent for Egypt. Prosecutors claim meetings between the Menendezes and Egyptian officials were frequent from 2018 to 2022. Nadine allegedly acted as a liaison, communicating sensitive information to these officials.
In particular, prosecutors state Nadine Menendez enabled the senator to draft a letter that encouraged fellow senators to approve aid to Egypt, sidestepping concerns over Egypt’s human rights situation. Previously, Bob Menendez resigned following his conviction along with Hana, a real estate developer named Fred Daibes, and another businessman who cooperated as a witness. These bribery cases resulted in significant prison sentences for Hana and Daibes.
Throughout Bob Menendez’s trial, Nadine Menendez was frequently mentioned due to her interactions with the involved businessmen, including numerous text exchanges. It was revealed that one businessman provided her with a luxury car after her husband attempted to cease a criminal investigation against an ally. During Monday’s proceeding, FBI Agent Aristotelis Kougemitros recounted a 2002 raid at the Menendez residence, uncovering over $100,000 in gold and $480,000 in cash hidden throughout the house.
In the garage, authorities discovered a $60,000 black Mercedes-Benz convertible. Prosecutor Pomerantz detailed in her opening statement that the vehicle was bought using a bribe-induced $15,000 down payment, fulfilled through monthly contributions from the businessmen. She alleged that Nadine Menendez sought not just any vehicle, but specifically desired a new Mercedes convertible. Bob Menendez previously testified that his wife owned the gold, while the substantial cash resulted from his inclination to hoard money, a habit inherited after his family’s escape from Cuba in 1951.