Washington — Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, may incriminate his wife in his trial next month to fight accusations that he traded his political influence for cash, gold bars and a Mercedes luxury, according to recently unsealed court documents.
A legal brief from Menendez’s lawyers says the senator could testify about communications with his wife that would demonstrate “the ways in which she withheld information” from her husband “or led him to believe that nothing illegal was occurring “.
The disclosure about Menendez’s possible defense strategy, which had been redacted, was unsealed by a federal judge at the request of several news outlets, including CBS News.
Menendez was indicted in September on charges alleging that he and his wife, Nadine, accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes while using his power and influence to enrich and protect three businessmen in the New Jersey and benefit the Egyptian government.
Later, a new indictment accused Menendez and his wife conspired to act as a foreign agent for Egypt And accepted expensive gifts in exchange for favorable comments on Qatar. The latest indictment unsealed in March accused the duo of obstruct the investigation in the alleged corruption scheme that has been going on for years.
Menendez and his wife have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The New Jersey senator’s trial is expected to begin in early May, while Nadine Menendez is expected to be tried separately. The federal judge delayed her trial until at least July while she undergoes surgery to treat a health problem.
According to her lawyers, Nadine Menendez suffers from a “serious medical problem that will require surgery.” They said the operation would take place in a few weeks and she may need “possibly significant follow-up and recovery treatment.”
Erica Brown and Pat Milton contributed reporting.
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