NEW YORK — Deliberations will continue this Monday in the federal court case involving Nadine Menendez, accused of participating in a prolonged bribery scandal alongside her husband, former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. The allegations suggest that Nadine was deeply involved in corrupt activities spanning five years, contributing to significant legal scrutiny of the couple’s actions.
Nadine Menendez, a 58-year-old resident of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, faces these charges in Manhattan, where her trial began following a delay caused by her battle with breast cancer, necessitating surgical intervention last year.
Her legal representation, spearheaded by attorney Barry Coburn, firmly contended during Thursday’s closing arguments that the prosecution’s evidence was inadequate for a guilty verdict. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Richenthal countered this claim vehemently in his rebuttal, describing the evidence against Nadine as both “consistent and overwhelming,” asserting her active and critical role in the bribery operations with her spouse.
Bob Menendez, a 71-year-old Democrat from New Jersey, is set to begin an 11-year prison sentence in June, following his resignation from the Senate after his conviction last year.
In another shift within political circles, acclaimed Fox News personality Mark Levin has been appointed to President Donald Trump’s newly restructured Homeland Security Advisory Council. Announced via Trump’s Truth Social platform, the council aims to incorporate top experts in the field, expected to enrich national security protocols under Trump’s guidance.
Levin, known for his previous administrative roles under President Ronald Reagan and subsequent career in media, expressed gratitude for his new role. His inclusion comes alongside other notable appointees such as Bo Dietl, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, and Florida State Senator Joseph Gruters, each bringing a wealth of experience to the advisory council.
Meanwhile, following a severe island-wide blackout in Puerto Rico, power restoration efforts have been largely successful, with Luma Energy reporting that over 98% of affected customers now have electricity. The sudden outage, which initially compromised the electricity and water supply to hundreds of thousands, was triggered by a transmission line failure. Investigations into the exact cause are ongoing, with theories ranging from equipment failure to environmental interference.
Additionally, military officials identified two Marines killed in a recent vehicular accident near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, as part of a convoy security operation along the U.S.-Mexico border. The deceased, Lance Cpl. Albert Aguilera of Riverside, California, and Lance Cpl. Marcelino Gamino of Fresno, California, were stationed with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Pendleton. This incident is currently under investigation as the region continues to play a strategic role in border security tasks.
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