SENATOR MENENDEZ & WIFE GUILTY
NADINE MENENDEZ FOUND GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES
ON ALL COUNTS
BY SNN.BZ STAFF
Nadine Menendez Found Guilty on All Counts in Bribery and Corruption Trial
New York, NY – Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, was convicted on Monday, April 21, 2025, on all 15 counts in a high-profile federal corruption trial in Manhattan.
The jury, after deliberating for approximately seven hours over two days, found the 58-year-old guilty of bribery, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent, and related charges. The verdict marks a significant chapter in a sprawling scandal that has already led to the conviction and sentencing of her husband, a once-powerful Democratic senator from New Jersey.
The trial, held in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, centered on allegations that Nadine Menendez played a pivotal role in a yearslong bribery scheme alongside her husband. Prosecutors described her as a “critical participant” and a liaison who facilitated illicit transactions, arranging meetings, negotiating deals, and collecting payments from three New Jersey businessmen—Wael Hana, Fred Daibes, and Jose Uribe—who sought favors from Bob Menendez’s political influence. The bribes, totaling nearly $1 million, included cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and other valuables, allegedly in exchange for assistance with business dealings, legal issues, and benefits for the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
“This was a classic case of corruption on a massive scale,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul M. Monteleoni during the trial. “Nadine Menendez and the Senator placed their own interests and greed ahead of the citizens he was elected to serve.” Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky echoed this sentiment, calling the couple “partners in crime” and emphasizing that the verdict sends a clear message: “The power of government officials may not be put up for sale.”
The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including photographs of over $480,000 in cash stuffed into envelopes, jackets, and boots in the Menendez home, alongside gold bars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, uncovered during an FBI search in June 2022. Some envelopes bore the fingerprints of Fred Daibes, a convicted co-defendant, and Bob Menendez himself. Testimony from Jose Uribe, who pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors, detailed how he provided Nadine Menendez with a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz in exchange for her husband’s interference in state criminal investigations. Surveillance footage and communications, including a text from Nadine to her husband reading, “Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes,” further underscored her active role.
Nadine Tabourian Arslanian and Egyptian Businessman Wael Hana.
Nadine Menendez’s defense team, led by attorney Barry Coburn, argued that some of the gold she received was inherited or gifted by longtime friends, not bribes. They also sought to distance her from her husband’s actions, portraying her as unaware of the full scope of the scheme. However, these arguments failed to sway the jury. Coburn expressed devastation at the verdict but respected the judicial process, stating, “We respect this court. We respect our judge, and we respect the jury for its hard work.” He hinted at future legal steps, noting, “The case is not over. There will be other days.”
The trial, originally scheduled to occur alongside her husband’s, was delayed due to Nadine Men Wael Hana received an eight-year sentence, and Fred Daibes was sentenced to seven years. Jose Uribe, who testified against the others, awaits sentencing on April 24, 2025.
Nadine Menendez’s sentencing is set for June 12, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein. She faces the possibility of decades in prison, though the exact term will depend on judicial discretion and sentencing guidelines. The conviction has sparked renewed discussions about political corruption and accountability, particularly in New Jersey, where Bob Menendez’s downfall has already reshaped the political landscape, paving the way for Senator Andy Kim’s election in November 2024.
As the legal saga continues, the public awaits further developments, including potential appeals from both Nadine and Bob Menendez. For now, the guilty verdict stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of abusing public trust.
