A co-defendant of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is reportedly set to testify against the senator as part of a plea deal. Menendez and his wife are accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, including allegedly trips, a car and bars of gold.
Former Menendez associate Jose Uribe pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
The plea agreement obligates Uribe to “truthfully and completely disclose all information with respect to the activities of himself and others concerning all matters about which this Office inquires of him, which information can be used for any purpose.”
Menendez allegedly traded his influence for a number of decisions on behalf of the Egyptian government. The senator was not registered as a foreign government with Washington.
The plea agreement with Jose Uribe is a bad news for Sen. Menendez. He pleaded guilty crimes like conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. On the other side of those crimes was Menendez. Most jurors do not view such pleas a one hand clapping. https://t.co/UP0dXcgp0Q
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) March 1, 2024
According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Menendez and his wife “engaged in a corrupt relationship with Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes – three New Jersey businessmen who collectively paid hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes, including cash, gold, a Mercedes Benz and other things of value – in exchange for Senator Menendez agreeing to use his power and influence to protect and enrich those businessmen and to benefit the Government of Egypt.”
Furthermore, an FBI official said that it would continue its investigation into any possible charges and wrote that the “alleged conduct in this conspiracy damages the public’s faith in our system of government and brings undue scorn to the honest and dedicated public servants who carry out their duties on a daily basis.”
Uribe said that he was part of a conspiracy, including Menendez’s wife Nadine to give gifts in order for the senator to utilize “his power and influence as a United States senator to get a favorable outcome and to stop all investigations related to one of my associates.”
Uribe also testified that the gifts were also intended to halt a “possible investigation into another person who I considered to be a member of my family.”
Despite the allegations, Menendez denies all wrongdoing and resisted calls for his resignation.
