Senator Bob Menendez disclosed on Thursday that his wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo a mastectomy. The New Jersey Democrat shared this news as the presentation of evidence commenced at his bribery trial in New York.
Menendez stated that his wife's health condition is at an advanced stage, expressing concern for her well-being. He mentioned that she will require additional surgery and potentially radiation treatment, with hopes for a positive outcome.
Earlier, Nadine Menendez's trial on bribery charges had been postponed due to a serious health issue. The couple, who married in 2020, had their home raided in June 2022, leading to the discovery of gold bars, cash exceeding $400,000, cellphones, and jewelry.
Senator Menendez, along with two businessmen, is facing charges including bribery, fraud, extortion, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent of Egypt. One of the businessmen has pleaded guilty and will testify against the others.
During the trial, defense attorneys for the businessmen argued that the prosecution's case relied on innocent actions and emphasized the long-standing friendship between the defendants and Nadine Menendez. They maintained that no bribes were exchanged for official acts by the senator.
Menendez's lawyer asserted that the senator was unaware of the gifts received by his spouse and the hidden cash and gold bars in their home. The trial, which began on Monday, is expected to last up to two months.
