Senator Menendez Faces Second Bribery Trial

A jury has been selected to determine whether Senator Robert Menendez is guilty of bribery charges. This is the senator's second trial on these charges, after the first ended in a mistrial in 2017.

Prosecutors allege that Menendez accepted bribes from businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes in exchange for political favors and aid to Egypt and Qatar. These favors included helping Egypt obtain arms sales, assisting Hana in securing a monopoly on certifying meat exports to Egypt, and attempting to help Daibes secure millions of dollars from a Qatari investment fund.

Menendez is also accused of trying to interfere in a federal criminal case against Daibes and in state criminal cases involving two of Uribe's associates. Prosecutors claim that FBI agents found over $480,000 in cash in the Menendez home, along with bribes in the form of gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz convertible.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense team may attempt to blame his wife, Nadine Menendez, for withholding information and making him believe his actions were lawful.

The trial is expected to last into early July. If convicted, Menendez could face a significant prison sentence and the end of his political career. He has already given up leadership of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee after his indictment.