A jury resumed deliberations Monday in the bribery trial of Senator Bob Menendez in New York City after failing to reach a verdict Friday.
The trial, initially expected to last six weeks, has now entered its 10th week.
Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, has pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts, including bribery and obstruction of justice. He is accused of engaging in a bribery scheme from 2018 to 2023 to benefit three New Jersey businessmen, including by acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.
Prosecutors claim Menendez, 70, used his position as then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit Egypt and pressured an Agriculture Department official to protect a halal certification monopoly for businessman Wael Hana, who allegedly paid Menendez's wife, Nadine, in bribes of cash, gold and a luxury car.
Additionally, prosecutors allege Menendez attempted to interfere in state and federal investigations involving former insurance broker Jose Uribe and real estate developer Fred Daibes, whom he was helping secure an investment deal with Qatar.
They argue that Menendez and his wife tried to obstruct the investigation by mischaracterizing bribe payments as loans, leading their former lawyers to make false statements to authorities.
Nadine Menendez’s trial has been postponed until August due to her recovery from breast cancer surgery. She has also pleaded not guilty.
Last week, lawyers delivered over 15 hours of closing arguments, urging jurors to closely review extensive evidence. Prosecutors highlighted nearly $150,000 in gold bars and over $480,000 in cash found during an FBI raid on the Menendez home in 2022.
Menendez's defense maintains that he did not accept bribes and that his actions were typical of a public official. They argue his efforts helped expedite military shipments to Egypt and were part of his duties.
Menendez plans to run for reelection this year as an independent.
As he left the courthouse Friday, he expressed faith in the jury and in God.
Some information for this report comes from The Associated Press.
