Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez will face sentencing on corruption charges at the end of January, as confirmed by U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein in Manhattan. The judge also announced that the trial of Menendez's wife, Nadine Menendez, which was initially scheduled for January, will now take place in February.
Menendez, a Democrat, was convicted in July on 16 corruption charges related to bribery allegations. Prosecutors alleged that he used his influence in the Senate over a five-year period until 2022 to provide favors to three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for bribes, including gold bars, cash amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
Two of the businessmen involved in the case were convicted alongside Menendez, while a third businessman pleaded guilty, cooperated with authorities, and testified against the former senator.
Menendez's legal team had requested a delay in his sentencing until after his wife's trial, citing concerns that the jury for her trial could be influenced if they were aware of the outcome of his sentencing. However, Judge Stein denied this request, affirming that Menendez will be sentenced on January 29 as planned.
Nadine Menendez, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, was originally set to stand trial alongside her husband. However, her trial was postponed due to a breast cancer diagnosis that required surgery. The trial, which was initially set for January 21, has now been rescheduled to begin on February 5.
The legal proceedings involving the Menendez couple have garnered significant attention, with the former senator facing sentencing for corruption charges while his wife prepares for her upcoming trial. The developments in these cases will continue to unfold in the coming weeks as the legal process moves forward.
