Defense attorney Adam Fee wrapped up his closing arguments on Wednesday in the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, stating that the case against the New Jersey Democrat was “shaky and rotten to its core.” Fee argued that the prosecution had failed to meet the high standard of proof required to convict Menendez, asserting that the senator was simply performing his duties as an elected official.
Menendez, along with businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, is accused of participating in a long-running bribery scheme. Federal prosecutors allege that Menendez used his position to advance Egyptian military interests, interfere in criminal prosecutions, and secure investments from Qatari officials. The senator and his wife, Nadine Menendez, allegedly received bribes such as gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes Benz convertible in exchange for his influence. Nadine Menendez, who is also charged in the case, will be tried separately later this year due to her ongoing breast cancer treatment.
During the trial, Menendez’s defense team called five witnesses to testify, but the senator himself did not take the stand. In total, 37 witnesses were called over the course of the nine-week trial. Fee argued that the prosecution’s case was based on “cherry-picked” evidence and relied on non-credible inferences rather than concrete proof.
Fee addressed the cash and gold found in the Menendez home, explaining that the cash was withdrawn by the senator and the gold belonged to Nadine Menendez, gifted to her by her family. He emphasized that Menendez was unaware of the gold seized by the FBI during the raid. The defense attorney also argued that the cash found in the basement could not be directly linked to his client.
Federal prosecutors concluded their closing arguments, describing the case as “corruption on a massive scale.” Assistant US Attorney Paul Monteleoni accused Menendez of putting his power up for sale and highlighted the involvement of Nadine Menendez in the alleged scheme. Monteleoni challenged the defense’s claim that the senator was unaware of key aspects of the bribery scheme, stating that Menendez was in charge and his wife acted as a go-between.
The prosecution focused on the testimony of Jose Uribe, a businessman who pleaded guilty to bribing Menendez. Uribe claimed that he gave Nadine Menendez a Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for the senator’s promise to intervene in criminal investigations. Monteleoni argued that messages between the senator and his wife demonstrated Menendez’s active involvement in the car purchase and highlighted a statement made by Menendez in Spanish, suggesting he had used his power for personal gain.
Fee countered by questioning Uribe’s credibility, describing him as a “good liar” who embellished his testimony to align with other evidence presented at trial.
