{"id":2290096,"date":"2024-07-07T05:13:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-07T09:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/closing-arguments-in-menendez-case-slated-for-monday-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-07T05:15:14","modified_gmt":"2024-07-07T09:15:14","slug":"closing-arguments-in-menendez-case-slated-for-monday-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/closing-arguments-in-menendez-case-slated-for-monday-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Closing arguments in Menendez case slated for Monday &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fclosing-arguments-in-menendez-case-slated-for-monday-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2290096&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>This article discusses the closing arguments in the bribery and \u200ccorruption trial of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The trial, which has lasted eight weeks, is entering its final stages with \u2064prosecutors accusing Menendez of accepting bribes in exchange for favors. The article\u200c describes how prosecutors have portrayed \u2062Menendez as a corrupt politician and highlighted the evidence presented in court, including witness \u2063testimonies and messages. Menendez&#8217;s\u2064 wife, Nadine, was also \u200dcharged in the scheme but her trial has \u200dbeen postponed due to health\u2062 reasons. The article mentions Menendez&#8217;s decision not to testify and his defense team&#8217;s strategy to present rebuttal witnesses. It also includes details about the evidence found \u200bin Menendez&#8217;s home and his\u200d family&#8217;s background.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><a class=\"tdb-logo-a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" title=\"Washington Examiner\"><span class=\"tdb-logo-img-wrap\"><\/span><span class=\"tdb-logo-text-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-logo-text-title\">Washington Examiner<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\">\n<div class=\"tdb-search-form-inner\"><input class=\"tdb-head-search-form-input\" placeholder=\" \" type=\"text\" value name=\"s\" autocomplete=\"off\"><button class=\"wpb_button wpb_btn-inverse btn tdb-head-search-form-btn\" title=\"Search\" type=\"submit\"><span>Search<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><a class=\"tdb-logo-a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" title=\"Washington Examiner\"><span class=\"tdb-logo-img-wrap\"><\/span><span class=\"tdb-logo-text-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-logo-text-title\">Washington Examiner<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Closing arguments in Menendez case slated for Monday<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> <a class=\"tdb-author-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/barnini-chakraborty\/\">Barnini Chakraborty<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2024-07-07T05:00:00-04:00\">July 7, 2024 5:00 am<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1668576\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3070395\/defense-rests-menendez-declines-take-stand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Sen. Bob Menendez\">Closing arguments<\/a> in the bribery and corruption trial of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bob-menendez\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Sen. Bob Menendez\">Sen. Bob Menendez<\/a> (D-NJ) could begin as early as Monday afternoon as the eight-week trial enters the home stretch. <\/p>\n<p>Menendez is accused of taking\u00a0hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, a convertible, and 13 gold bars in exchange for steering aid to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/egypt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Egypt<\/a>, facilitating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3008652\/bob-menendez-trial-halal-meat-monopoly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bob-menendez-trial-lawyers-for-co-defendants-say-gifts-were-not-criminal\/\" title=\"Bob Menendez trial: Co-defendants&#039; lawyers argue gifts were non-criminal\">halal meat monopoly<\/a><\/a>, and disrupting criminal investigations on behalf of his friends and family.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) leaves federal court following the day\u2019s proceedings in his bribery trial, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo\/Larry Neumeister)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Prosecutors have painted the longtime lawmaker as a greedy politician straight out of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3044219\/menendez-trial-exposes-weird-quirks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"mafia movie\">mafia movie<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>They claim he\u00a0held court in his New Jersey home, rang a tiny silver bell to summon his wife, and puffed on cigars while entertaining bids. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3040543\/trump-vp-shortlist-top-candidates-election-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MEET THE EIGHT TOP NAMES ON TRUMP\u2019S VP SHORT LIST<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The government introduced thousands of pieces of evidence including texts and voicemail messages that were played in court. They also called\u00a0more than a dozen witnesses to the stand, including former New Jersey attorney general Gurbir Grewal, and Philip Sellinger, the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-muscles-out-chicago-prosecutor-hot-on-the-heels-of-powerful-dems\/\" title=\"Biden Muscles Out Chicago Prosecutor Hot on the Heels of Powerful Dems\">top federal prosecutor<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Menendez, 70, and his wife, Nadine, were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-sdny\/pr\/us-senator-robert-menendez-his-wife-and-three-new-jersey-businessmen-charged-bribery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">both charged<\/a> in the yearslong\u00a0scheme.<\/p>\n<p>She was supposed to go on trial with her husband, but her court date\u00a0has been pushed back to at least August as she recovers from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3006424\/bob-menendezs-wife-undergoing-treatment-for-breast-cancer-amid-senators-corruption-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"breast cancer\">breast cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3063265\/who-could-replace-biden-nominee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE\u2019S WHO COULD REPLACE BIDEN AS DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Menendez is on trial with two of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3008005\/bob-menendez-bribery-trial-key-players\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Jersey businessmen<\/a> accused of bribing him, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, after a third, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty and cut a deal with the government. <\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, Menendez told reporters that he would not take the stand as he was leaving the Manhattan federal courthouse.<\/p>\n<p>He claimed prosecutors failed to prove \u201cevery aspect\u201d of the sprawling case against him. He added that to \u201cgive them another chance\u201d by taking the witness stand was \u201csimply not something that makes any sense to me whatsoever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI expect my lawyers will produce a powerful and convincing summation, deduce how the evidence came out, and where they failed across the board, and how the jury will render a verdict of not guilty,\u201d Menendez said.<\/p>\n<p>Lawyers for Menendez called five people to the stand to rebut more than two dozen witnesses and hundreds of exhibits offered by prosecutors. Defense witnesses included Menendez\u2019s sister-in-law and his sister, Caridad Gonzalez, 80. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This image provided by the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in New York, shows two of the gold bars found during a search by federal agents of Sen. Bob Menendez\u2019s (D-NJ) home and safe deposit box. (U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Gonzales told jurors that stashing cash in a person\u2019s home was a \u201cCuban thing\u201d in an attempt to explain why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/its-a-cuban-thing-menendezs-sister-testifies-family-often-hid-cash-in-home-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"\u2018It\u2019s a Cuban thing\u2019: Menendez\u2019s sister testifies family often hid cash in home - Washington Examiner\">federal agents found 0<\/a>,000 in cash during a raid at the senator\u2019s home last year. She said her family had been forced to leave everything behind when they fled Cuba and that the only money they had was what her father hid in an old grandfather clock. <\/p>\n<p>Menendez, who was not born in Cuba, allegedly had the practice of keeping cash on hand drilled into him by his parents who stashed money in door frames and in closets. <\/p>\n<p>Daibes, a New Jersey real estate developer charged with\u00a0bribing Menendez and his wife with\u00a0gold bars and cash,\u00a0 rested his case without calling any witnesses. Hana, who runs a halal meat certification company, called one witness on Wednesday and may call another Monday morning. <\/p>\n<p>Following that, final summations are expected. Prosecutors will go first, followed by lawyers for Menendez, Daibes, and Hana. The government will get a rebuttal. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER \">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors alleged that the bribery scheme began in February 2018, less than a month after the three-term Democrat was cleared in an unrelated corruption case in New Jersey. <\/p>\n<p>That case ended in a mistrial after jurors were unable to agree on a verdict. <\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1668576\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1668576\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><a class=\"tdb-logo-a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" title=\"Washington Examiner\"><span class=\"tdb-logo-img-wrap\"><\/span><span class=\"tdb-logo-text-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-logo-text-title\">Washington Examiner<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Closing arguments in the bribery and corruption trial of Senator Bob Menendez are expected to start on Monday, as the trial nears its end after eight weeks. Menendez is accused of accepting bribes, a convertible, and gold bars in exchange for using his political influence to benefit others. Prosecutors have portrayed him as a corrupt politician, using evidence such as texts and voicemails to support their case. Menendez has chosen not to testify in his defense, and his lawyers are expected to present their closing arguments soon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2290097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/bob-menendez.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[34131,34130,4853,32076],"class_list":["post-2290096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-closing-arguments","tag-menendez-case","tag-trial","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/bob-menendez.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2290096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2290096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2290096\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2290097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2290096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2290096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2290096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}