Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for her involvement in a bribery scheme. This scheme included significant amounts of cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz. Nadine Menendez, 58, was convicted in April on 15 counts, including bribery, for her role in facilitating communications between her husband and Egyptian officials.
During her sentencing, she expressed emotional regret and referred to her husband, stating, “I put my life in his hands and he strung me like a puppet.” Robert Menendez, who was previously convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison for the same scheme, was a prominent figure as the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time. Prosecutors had highlighted Nadine Menendez’s crucial role in the scheme, which involved clandestinely supporting Egyptian government interests in the U.S.
In court, Nadine stated, “He’s not my savior. He’s not the man I thought he was,” emphasizing her disillusionment regarding her husband’s actions. The prosecution sought a longer sentence of at least seven years, but District Judge Sidney H. Stein sentenced her to 54 months, citing the need for deterrence against similar crimes. The judge underscored the importance of understanding the consequences of such actions.
Her sentence will commence on July 10, 2024, allowing her time to complete medical procedures following a breast cancer diagnosis. The couple’s home was searched by the FBI in 2022, revealing over $100,000 in gold bars and substantial sums of cash hidden in various locations. Additional evidence included text messages and a search by Robert Menendez regarding the value of gold. Others involved in the case, including New Jersey developer Fred Daibes and Egyptian-born Wael Hana, were also charged and convicted. Insurance broker Jose Uribe has pleaded guilty to related charges as well.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yj6zn22n5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss