Wife of Senator Menendez Convicted in Explosive Bribery Case

Nadine Menendez, wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, has been convicted on all 15 counts in a high-profile bribery case that has already sent her husband to prison for 11 years.

Quick Takes

Nadine Menendez was found guilty of accepting bribes to leverage her husband’s influence for Egyptian officials and New Jersey businessmen.
She was convicted on all 15 counts, including bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent.
FBI agents found $150,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in cash during a 2022 raid of the couple’s home.
Bob Menendez was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison and became the first U.S. senator found guilty of acting as a foreign agent.
Prosecutors described the Menendezes as “partners in crime” in a scheme involving cash, gold bars, and a luxury Mercedes-Benz.

Conviction Completes Fall of Power Couple

Nadine Menendez faces sentencing on June 12 following her conviction by US District Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan. The verdict marks another chapter in the downfall of what prosecutors called a “partners in crime” relationship. Nadine was found guilty on all 15 counts, including bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent—charges that mirror those that ended her husband’s decades-long political career.

The couple’s relationship began in early 2018, with prosecutors alleging that Nadine immediately became integral to facilitating bribes from businessmen and Egyptian officials. Despite facing financial difficulties, including nearly losing her home, Nadine’s fortunes quickly improved after connecting with businessmen willing to pay for access to her husband’s considerable political influence as then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Wife of ex-senator Bob Menendez is found guilty of bribery, faces decades behind bars https://t.co/57YqyZX2Uy pic.twitter.com/HClMa31jSL

— The Independent (@Independent) April 22, 2025

The Bribery Scheme Exposed

During a 2022 FBI raid on the couple’s home, agents discovered damning evidence: $150,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in cash hidden throughout the residence. The investigation revealed that bribes included not only cash and gold bars but also a Mercedes-Benz convertible provided by businessman Jose Uribe. In exchange, Bob Menendez allegedly used his influence to halt investigations by the New Jersey attorney general’s office into Uribe’s business activities.

The couple also received substantial benefits for helping expedite Egypt’s access to U.S. military aid, with Bob Menendez providing sensitive U.S. government information to Egyptian officials through businessman Wael Hana, who facilitated meetings between the senator and Egyptian officials. Businessman Fred Daibes, who was also convicted in the scheme, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role, while Hana received an eight-year sentence.

Historic Corruption Case

Bob Menendez’s conviction earlier this year marked a historic moment as he became the first U.S. senator found guilty of acting as a foreign agent. His 11-year prison sentence reflected the seriousness of selling government influence to foreign interests. Throughout the proceedings, the Menendezes maintained their innocence, denying any wrongdoing despite the mounting evidence against them.

Nadine Menendez’s trial had been postponed due to her breast cancer treatment, but prosecutors maintained that the evidence against her was overwhelming. Her defense team, led by attorney Barry Coburn, argued that the evidence was insufficient to prove criminal intent, but the jury disagreed. The verdict sends a clear message about the consequences of facilitating corruption and the sale of government power, particularly when it involves foreign influence.