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Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, failed to secure a delay for her Feb. 5 bribery trial after a Manhattan federal judge rejected her argument that her husband’s Jan. 29 sentencing could bias the jury in her case.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein issued a brief order Friday denying the motion without explanation, despite her counsel's concerns about media attention surrounding Bob Menendez's sentencing. The former senator, convicted of leveraging his office for personal benefit, is set to be sentenced alongside co-defendants Fred Daibes and Wael Hana just a week before jury selection begins for his wife.

Barry Coburn of Coburn & Greenbaum PLLC, Nadine Menendez's attorney, argued that the proximity of the sentencing to her trial would hinder efforts to find impartial jurors. Coburn presented a declaration from jury consultant Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, who suggested the trial be postponed and recommended robust jury screening measures, including a detailed voir dire and instructions to emphasize an evidence-based verdict.

Prosecutors countered that jury selection safeguards, such as for-cause challenges and peremptory strikes, would be sufficient to ensure fairness.

In a related development, both sides submitted revised jury instructions Friday based on those used in Bob Menendez’s trial. The changes include phrasing adjustments to tailor the instructions to Nadine Menendez’s alleged role in aiding her husband.

The government has accused Nadine Menendez of aiding and abetting her husband in accepting bribes, including gold bars and cash, from Daibes and Hana in exchange for political favors.

Neither party commented on the developments Monday.

Nadine Menendez is represented by Barry Coburn and Sarah Schwietz of Coburn & Greenbaum PLLC.

The government is represented by Paul Monteleoni, Lara Pomerantz, and Catherine Ghosh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

The case is U.S. v. Menendez et al., case number 1:23-cr-00490, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.