Senator Bob Menendez reveals spouse has breast most cancers as his felony trial begins | EUROtoday

Sign up for the each day Inside Washington e mail for unique US protection and evaluation despatched to your inbox

Get our free Inside Washington e mail

Senator Bob Menendez revealed his spouse, Nadine Menendez, is combating breast cancerone day after blaming her for the felony bribery costs he faces.

“As a result of constant press inquiries and reporters following my wife, she has asked me to disclose her medical condition,” Menendez stated in an announcement on Thursday. “Nadine is suffering from Grade 3 breast cancer, which will require her to have mastectomy surgery.”

“ We are of course, concerned about the seriousness and advanced stage of the disease,” he continued. “She will require follow up surgery and possibly radiation treatment. We hope and pray for the best results.”

Menendez, his spouse and three New Jersey males Wael Hana, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe had been indicted in September 2023 over a scheme that allegedly noticed the couple settle for gold bars, tons of of hundreds of {dollars} in money and funds for a Mercedes convertible in trade for his political affect.

The lawmaker’s actions finally benefitted the Egyptian and Qatari governments, in keeping with prosecutors.

Ms Menendez requested earlier this yr to endure a separate trial from her husband and the New Jersey businessmen, citing a severe medical situation in court docket filings — which has now been revealed to be breast most cancers. She will face trial later this yr.

The 70-year-old New Jersey democrat now faces 16 federal costs, together with bribery, performing as a overseas agent, obstruction of justice and extortion. He has pleaded not responsible and denies all wrongdoing.

Menendez has pleaded not responsible and blames his spouse for accepting gold bars, money funds and hiding them from him, his protection lawyer instructed throughout opening statements at his trial on Wednesday.

Menendez’s lawyer Avi Weitzman advised the jury that the senator knew nothing of the gold bars and money, which had been recovered from his New Jersey dwelling in June 2022. He argued that it was his spouse who accepted the lavish bribes, hid them from her husband after which served as a messenger between the senator, his co-defendants and Egyptian officers.

Menendez is on trial with Mr Daibes, an actual property developer, and businessman Mr Hana. They too have pleaded not responsible.

The senator’s trial, which started Wednesday after two days of jury choice, is anticipated to final six to seven weeks.