Former NJ Senator Menendez Loses Bid for New Trial, Faces Sentencing Next Week

Source: US News and World Report/Reuters

Jan. 22, 2025, at 12:09 p.m.


NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez on Wednesday lost a bid for a new trial, after arguing his recent corruption conviction should be thrown out because jurors were allowed to review improper evidence during deliberations.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein's decision paves the way for Menendez's sentencing next Wednesday. The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan says the Democratic former chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations should spend 15 years in prison. Prosecutors admitted in November that jurors reviewed nine pieces of evidence containing material that should have been redacted, but said the mistake did not justify setting aside the verdict.

Menendez's lawyers said the unredacted material contained the only evidence tying him to the government's central accusation, that he accepted bribes in exchange for shepherding military aid to Egypt. They say Menendez, 71, should face no more than 2-1/4 years in prison. The evidence mistake may form part of Menendez's expected appeal of his conviction.

"I respectfully disagree with the Court's decision and expect the Court of Appeals will hold these prosecutors to account for their misconduct," Menendez said in a statement. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office, declined to comment.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2025-01-22/former-nj-senator-menendez-loses-bid-for-new-trial-after-saying-error-tainted-conviction