Judge splits Sen. Bob Menendez’s case from his wife’s, due to her medical issues
Rep. Andy Kim on his campaign to replace Sen. Bob Menendez
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A federal judge in New York decided Thursday that Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez will face bribery charges in two separate trials. Nadine Menendez’s trial will be delayed while she undergoes surgery to treat a medical condition.
Sen. Menendez’s trial will begin May 6, as originally scheduled, and Nadine Menendez’s trial is tentatively set to begin July 8.
“This trial is going forward without Mrs. Menendez,” said District Judge Sidney Stein, according to the Associated Press. “The government is going to have to try this case two times.”
bribery scheme that alleges Menendez and his wife accepted cash, gold bars and other gifts in return for business and legal favors. The two stand accused of conspiring to use the senator’s power as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the Egyptian and Qatari governments, and helping the businessmen who have been charged with them.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
DOJ
Menendez also stands accused of working as an unregistered foreign agent. He and his wife also face obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice charges.
Menendez has resisted calls to resign from the U.S. Senate, despite calls from some in his own party, like Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.
Menendez, 70, has served in the Senate since 2006.
Robert Legare and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kathryn Watson
Source: cbsnews.com