The home of a New Jersey Democrat, facing accusations of bribery and abusing his political position to benefit the Egyptian government, was raided, revealing over $600,000 in cash and gold bars.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife, Nadine Menendez were each charged in September 2023, with three federal counts of allegedly accepting bribes and using the senator’s power and influence to “protect and enrich” three New Jersey businessmen, and to “benefit the Arab Republic of Egypt,” according to the indictment in the New York Times.
The three men are Wael Hana, Fred Daibes, and Jose Uribe.
In January, Menendez faced further accusations, accused of accepting bribes from the Qatari royal family to speak favorably about Qatar. It’s alleged that in return for making positive comments about Qatar, Menendez received valuable items, including luxury wristwatches.
Jurors involved in the trial, which began on May 13, reportedly passed around plastic bags with gold bars inside, according to NJ.com.
The jurors were also provided with a virtual tour of the couple’s home through pictures that were taken when agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) conducted a search in June 2022.
Gold bars were reportedly stashed in various places throughout the home, including in closets, “designer bags” and “a pair of Timberland boots,” according to the outlet.
FBI Special Agent Aristotelis Kougemitros informed the jury during the trial that he “called in reinforcements” to assist him in counting the cash and gold bars. With the help of cash counting machines, FBI agents discovered that there were $486,461 in cash and 13 gold bars, which are reported to be worth more than $150,000.
“Over $480,000 in cash-much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe-was discovered in the home, along with over $70,000 in Nadine Menendez’s safe deposit box,” the indictment says.
Menendez has entered a plea of not guilty to the bribery accusations.
Daibes and Hana have also pleaded not guilty, while Uribe has reportedly confirmed assisting Menendez’s wife in buying a Mercedes-Benz in order to get the New Jersey senator’s help in “squashing an unrelated state criminal investigation involving his commercial interests,” according to NJ.com.
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