Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has requested a federal judge to delay his January 29 sentencing, citing the significant emotional strain it would place on his family if it coincides with his wife Nadine Menendez’s trial. The New Jersey Democrat, convicted in July 2023 on 16 charges including bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice, argues that holding the sentencing during her trial could bias the jury and undermine her ability to focus on her defense.
Nadine Menendez faces similar charges, stemming from allegations that the couple accepted bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, and a luxury Mercedes-Benz in exchange for political favors to New Jersey businessmen. Her trial, delayed previously due to her breast cancer treatment, is set to begin on January 21.
In a letter to Judge Sidney H. Stein, Bob Menendez’s lawyers warned that holding the sentencing during the trial would risk “poisoning the proceedings” against Nadine. They urged the court to reschedule sentencing to after the trial’s conclusion, potentially in March, emphasizing that the former senator plays a crucial role in supporting his wife during her ongoing health battle.
Prosecutors had suggested moving the sentencing to just before Nadine’s trial, but her attorney, Barry Coburn, argued this would have a “devastating impact” on her ability to meaningfully participate in her defense.
The charges against Bob Menendez center on allegations that he leveraged his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the businessmen involved. The couple allegedly received $480,000 in cash, nearly $150,000 in gold bars, and the Mercedes-Benz over four years. Two businessmen were convicted alongside Menendez, while a third pleaded guilty and testified during the trial.
Menendez resigned after his conviction but has challenged the verdict, citing improper jury exposure to inadmissible evidence during deliberations. Despite his resignation, the former senator remains a prominent figure in the case, with his legal team highlighting the toll the proceedings have taken on his family.
The court is expected to weigh the request for delay carefully, balancing the rights of both defendants and the public interest in a timely resolution to the case.
