A federal court on Monday delivered a guilty verdict against the wife of a former U.S. senator, convicting her on all charges related to a sprawling corruption case. Nadine Menendez, 58, was found guilty of bribery, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy for her role in a scheme that netted nearly $1 million in bribes.
Prosecutors revealed that over five years, she accepted cash, gold bars, a luxury convertible, and a no-show job in exchange for her husband’s political influence. Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky stated that the pair prioritized personal greed over public service, betraying the trust of constituents.
The case stemmed from a 2023 investigation into Robert Menendez, a former senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was earlier convicted on 16 counts and sentenced to 11 years in prison for using his office to benefit foreign governments and businessmen.
Nadine Menendez’s trial was delayed for a year due to her breast cancer treatment. She will be sentenced on June 12, shortly after her husband begins his prison term.
The verdict marks a rare instance of a senator’s spouse being convicted in a federal corruption probe.