Twelve jurors and six alternates were selected Wednesday to begin hearing opening statements in New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez’s high-profile federal corruption trial. Opening statements are expected to last up to three hours in total, with prosecutor Lara Pomerantz given 45 minutes.
U.S. Judge Sidney H. Stein told jurors: “Use common sense, use your life experience and use good judgment.”
the jury will decide whether there is evidence The charges against Mr. Menendez and two New Jersey businessmen, Fred Dybes and Wael Hana, include an alleged bribery scheme that included interfering with criminal investigations and acting to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar. It is shown.
United States vs. Menendez: Democratic senator’s corruption trial begins after unexpected delay
Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez appear in a Manhattan courtroom after being indicted on federal bribery charges in New York on September 27, 2023. (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
According to prosecutors’ opening statements, Menendez helped the Egyptian government cover up the criminal case in exchange for 22 gold bars, jewelry, cash and a Mercedes-Benz convertible, while “pursuing his own power.” has been put up for sale,” the newspaper reported. The York Times reported.
Mr. Menendez’s lawyer, Avi Weitzman, will have about an hour to argue, while lawyers for Mr. Hana and Mr. Duives will each argue for about 30 minutes in their opening arguments.
In his opening statement, Weitzman described Menendez as an “American patriot” and dismissed prosecutors’ claims that he was a “foreign spy,” according to the Times.
All three alleged co-conspirators have pleaded not guilty, but co-defendant Jose Uribe has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the other defendants. The trial of the senator’s wife Nadine, who is also charged and has pleaded not guilty, has been postponed until at least July for health reasons.
This is the second time in a decade that Menendez has been charged in a federal corruption case.
Headlines of Trump Vice Presidential Candidates and Incumbent Senators List of Witness Candidates for Menendez Trial
Wael Hana (center) leaves a federal courthouse in New York on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Hana is a co-defendant with Robert Menendez.
On Tuesday, a judge told prospective jurors that among a long list of prominent figures who could be called as witnesses, several incumbents, including a couple rumored to be in the running for the Republican vice presidential nomination. He said that included senators.
The list also included David Axelrod, a former political strategist for the former president. barack obama; Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. Sen. Cory Booker, DN.J. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware. Congressman Dan Goldman, New York. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R.S.C. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Former Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State. senator marco rubio, Republican Party of Florida. Sen. Tim Scott, RS.C. Sen. Krysten Sinema, Arizona. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland).
Co-defendant in Bob Menendez corruption case cooperates with investigators and pleads guilty to seven charges
Sen. Bob Menendez enters Manhattan federal court on March 11, 2024. (Fox News)
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FOX News’ Jennifer Johnson contributed to this report.
