NEW YORK — After a full day of deliberations, the jurors in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, concluded Monday without reaching a verdict, signaling they would resume discussions the following morning. The case, which has captured significant public attention, involves allegations of bribery, extortion, and other serious charges against Menendez and two New Jersey businessmen, Fred Daibes and Wael “Will” Hana.
The twelve-member jury, drawn from Manhattan, the Bronx, and suburban Westchester County, has so far deliberated for approximately ten hours, starting their discussions late Friday afternoon. They have been tasked with deciding on a slew of charges that, if leading to convictions, could send the senator and his co-defendants to prison for many years.
U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein, overseeing the trial, instructed the jury to continue their discussions after sending a note around 4:30 p.coordination that they were adjourning for the day. The stakes are high for Menendez and his associates as the trial unfolds, bringing to light allegations that could upend the senator’s career and personal life.
The court heard that Menendez, along with his wife Nadine Menendez, is accused of accepting illicit payments including cash, gold bars, and even a luxury car, purportedly in exchange for political favors. These bribes were said to have started around early 2018 and persisted after their marriage in 2020, including a period after their residence was raided by the FBI in 2022. During this raid, agents reportedly found over $486,000 in cash hidden throughout their property, alongside the mentioned gold bars and other items.
Throughout nearly two months of proceedings, various witnesses recounted how Menendez allegedly shared sensitive government information with Egyptian officials, which subsequently led to a lucrative contracting deal for Hana. Additionally, it was testified that Menendez sought to influence federal prosecutors who were investigating Daibes for bank fraud, allegedly pressing on behalf of Daibes during a discussion with a prospective U.S. attorney in 2020.
On Monday, the jurors showed particular diligence by working through their lunch and later requesting a brief recess on an outdoor terrace. During their deliberations, the jury sought clarification from Judge Stein on two issues related to the unanimity required for their verdict and specific allegations detailed in the counts concerning Menendez’s intervention in Daibes’s previous legal troubles.
Stein clarified that all verdict decisions—whether for conviction or acquittal—must be unanimous. He confirmed that counts 11 and 12 of the indictment dealt with allegations tied to Menendez’s purported actions on behalf of Daibes, after consulting with attorneys for over an hour.
Menendez briefly addressed the press after leaving the courthouse, suggesting the complexity of the government’s accusations and expressing confidence in the jury’s meticulousness: “They are doing their work.”
Adding a personal dimension to the trial, it was noted that Nadine Menendez could not attend due to her ongoing treatment for advanced breast cancer. Her trial has been scheduled separately and is set to commence on August 5.
As the trial adjourned for the day, the community and the nation await further developments, which could have profound implications not only for the senator and his alleged co-conspirators but also for political ethics and legal accountability.