Defense rests in bribery trial of N.J. senator

NEWARK, N.J. — The defense in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez rested its case Monday, shortly after the judge turned down a bid to have a mistrial declared over his rulings during the trial.

Neither the Democratic senator from New Jersey nor co-defendant Salomon Melgen, a Florida eye doctor, testified during the trial, which is in its ninth week. Closing arguments are expected later this week after the judge and attorneys settle on instructions for the jury.

An indictment charges Menendez and Melgen with a long-running bribery scheme in which Menendez allegedly traded political influence for gifts, including flights on Melgen’s private jet between the U.S. and Melgen’s home at a Dominican Republic resort.

Both men have claimed the gifts were an expression of their longtime friendship, and that there was no bribery arrangement.

The most serious charge they face, honest services fraud, carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

Among witnesses the defense team called were two U.S. senators — Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who has known Menendez for more than two decades, and Democrat Cory Booker, who represents New Jersey alongside Menendez.

Both testified last week that they knew Menendez to be honest and trustworthy.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge William Walls began by chastising defense attorneys for a mistrial request he said was devoid of “even palpable merit.”

Attorneys had accused Walls during a weekend filing of tying their hands by limiting what evidence and witnesses they could present to the jury.

In strongly worded remarks Monday, Walls chided the defense for “failing to acknowledge that they are bound by the rules of evidence.

“There’s not even palpable merit to what you wish,” he added.