The jury selection for the corruption trial of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez is underway, with a potential jury to be seated as early as Wednesday.
Menendez faces 16 criminal charges, including bribery, fraud, and obstruction, for his alleged role in a years-long bribery scheme to benefit foreign governments and himself.
The selection process has been rigorous, with U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein questioning 32 prospective jurors on Tuesday and dismissing at least 75 others from the jury pool. The trial is expected to last into July, with opening statements potentially beginning on Wednesday morning.
Menendez Corruption Trial Ready to Proceed with Jury Selection
Menendez and his wife, Nadine, have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for political favors and aid to the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
The case has significant implications for Menendez’s political career and freedom, with many Democratic Party senators calling for his resignation.
Here are the key points of the case:
- Menendez faces 16 criminal charges, including bribery, fraud, and obstruction.
- The alleged bribery scheme involved accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for political favors and aid to the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
- Menendez’s wife, Nadine, has also been charged and pleaded not guilty.
- The trial is expected to last into July, with opening statements potentially beginning on Wednesday morning.
- Menendez has suggested he would try to win a fourth full Senate term if acquitted, but recent polls show overwhelming disapproval of his job performance.
- Menendez has resisted calls to resign from across the political spectrum but gave up leadership of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee after his indictment in September.
