Wife of former Sen. Menendez found guilty as co-conspirator in bribery scheme

Nadine Menendez, wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, was convicted Monday on all 15 charges, including bribery, honest services fraud, and conspiracy to have a public official act as a foreign agent, in a corruption case that mirrors her husband’s recent conviction.

The 58-year-old appeared before Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan Federal Court, where prosecutors successfully argued she played a key role in facilitating her husband’s corrupt activities.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in a statement following the verdict: “Nadine Menendez and Senator Bob Menendez were criminal partners. Both placed their own interests and greed before the citizens Senator Bob Menendez was elected to serve.”

Sentencing for Nadine Menendez has been scheduled for June 12. Her trial was delayed due to her cancer treatment.

Gold bars, cash evidence led to guilty verdict of anti-Türkiye Menendez

The conviction follows her husband’s sentencing earlier for related charges. Bob Menendez, the former Democratic senator from New Jersey who was known for his anti-Türkiye stance and support for Armenian diaspora organizations, received an 11-year prison sentence after being found guilty on 16 criminal counts.

The former senator was convicted of accepting bribes, including gold bars and nearly $500,000 in cash from businessmen connected to Egypt and Qatar in exchange for political favors. He stepped down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following his conviction.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the court heard evidence that Nadine Menendez controlled the illegal bribe payments and served as an intermediary, relaying requests from Egyptian officials to her husband. Prosecutors presented evidence from an FBI raid on the Menendez home that uncovered the cash, gold bars worth approximately $150,000, and a luxury vehicle.

Two co-defendants, Egyptian-American businessman Wael Hana and real estate developer Fred Daibes, were also sentenced to prison on Wednesday. A third accomplice, Jose Uribe, had previously pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators.