NEW YORK, NY – Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, was found guilty of accepting bribes alongside her husband in a high-profile case on Monday. The jury’s verdict was unanimous and delivered at a federal courthouse in Manhattan, mirroring the conviction of Bob Menendez on similar charges in the past year. The couple is scheduled to face sentencing in June.

The evidence presented during the three-week trial outlined a narrative of the Menendez’s relationship, from its beginnings in early 2018 to the legal challenges they faced in 2023. Prosecutors portrayed the couple as “partners in crime,” alleging that they accepted bribes including cash, gold bars, and a luxury car from New Jersey businessmen seeking political influence.

During a raid on the couple’s New Jersey home, law enforcement discovered thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a luxury car believed to be part of the bribery scheme. Despite the mounting evidence, both Nadine and Bob Menendez maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings.

The trial, initially set to include the businessmen involved in the scheme, was delayed due to Nadine Menendez’s battle with breast cancer. Following his conviction, Bob Menendez stepped down as Senator last year, forfeiting his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Prosecutors alleged that Nadine Menendez played a crucial role in facilitating bribes to her husband, leveraging his political power for personal gain. The scheme involved various businessmen and government officials, with accusations of bribery, political favors, and corruption at the highest levels.

Despite arguments from the couple’s defense team that the evidence was insufficient, the jury found Nadine Menendez guilty of her involvement in the bribery scheme. The case has drawn attention to the issue of corruption in politics and the consequences faced by those involved in illicit activities.

In a statement following the verdict, Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky emphasized the importance of holding government officials accountable and preventing the sale of political influence. The convictions of both Menendezs and their associates serve as a warning against corruption and abuse of power within the political sphere.