United States Senator, Bob Menendez (center), arrives at Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse where he will be on trial for bribery and corruption charges. The jury selection for the trial is expected to start today, Monday, May 13, 2024. © Kevin R. Wexler / NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Syndication: The Record
(New York, NY) — Jury deliberations could begin today in Manhattan in the Bob Menendez corruption trial. New Jersey’s senior senator is charged with 16 felony counts stemming from an alleged bribery scheme. The veteran Democrat’s lawyer, in finishing his hours-long closing argument Wednesday afternoon, called the bribery evidence “shaky and rotten to its core” and said “This case, it dies here today.” Menendez is on trial with two New Jersey businessmen, Fred Daibes and Wael Hanna, who are accused of paying Menendez and his wife Nadine with cash, gold bars and a Mercedes in exchange for using his political influence on their behalf. Their lawyers gave closing arguments yesterday, too, with Daibes lawyer continuing today, followed by the prosecution’s rebuttal and the judge’s instructions to the jury.