Menendez trial finally goes to jury
NEWARK, N.J. — After nine weeks of testimony and nearly eight hours of closing arguments spread over two days, a jury began deliberating Monday in the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and a longtime friend in a case that could have implications for a deeply divided Senate in the event of a conviction.
If the Democratic senator is convicted and steps down or is voted out by a twothirds majority before New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie leaves office Jan. 16, the term-limited Republican governor could appoint a replacement. A Democrat holds a comfortable lead in polls ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.
Menendez is charged with accepting trips on a private jet, luxury vacations and other gifts from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for pressuring government officials to resolve Melgen’s $8.9 million billing dispute with Medicare, a port screening contract in the Dominican Republic and other issues.
Melgen also contributed more than $600,000 to political organizations that supported Menendez directly or indirectly.
The men’s friendship predated the alleged bribery conspiracy by more than a decade, and that relationship “destroys each and every one of the counts” against him, Abbe Lowell told jurors in his closing argument Monday.
In a rebuttal argument, Justice Department attorney Peter Koski quoted a passage from the jury instructions that said friendship can’t be used as a defense against bribery in all cases.