The defense maintained Menendez is guilty of nothing more than being a U.S. senator and said if the convictions against him are allowed to stand it would create an “absurd, never-ending prosecution” on circumstantial evidence. They argued no rational jury would have reached a verdict beyond a reasonable doubt. Like with the text messages, Daibes and Hana also contended during their trial that they were not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Scheme of Bribery and Outcome of Trial
The government claimed that Menendez, who has been a senator from New Jersey for 11 years, tried to help Daibes and Hana with their personal and business affairs in his public capacity as a politician from New Jersey in return of expensive presents such as gold bars, cash and other valuable items. Uribe, also a purported actor in the scheme, pleaded guilty prior to trial and testified for the government but Menendez was convicted at felony bribery trial along with Daibes and Hana.
If convicted, Menendez’s wife, Nadine, could be sentenced to life in prison. Her trial has been severed and remained postponed indefinitely because she was diagnosed with breast cancer while the couple went on trial; Madeleine LISTEN LIVE NOW! You have been convicted of other charges connected to her husbands suspected bribery scheme.
The Defendants Say They Should Not Be Convicted
In its filings, both Daibes and Hana argued that the government had offered no proof of any quid pro quo. In her brief, Daibes’ lawyer wrote: “At most, the government proved that over a two-year period of time Mr. Daibes gave the Menendez’s some sort of benefits.” Hana’s attorneys have also argued that the jury was tainted by prejudicial evidence introduced by prosecutors, leading to an “inequitable verdict.”
Resignation and succession of Menendez
Menendez is anticipated to resign Tuesday when he submits his letter of resignation to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Swenson’s resignation will be effective August 20. Murphy later chose his former chief of staff, George Helmy, to serve in the Senate seat for the balance Menendez term.
Robert Menendez Acquittal : Legal Representation
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Emil Bove III, Amanda L. Houle and Benet J.Pavail from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Sarah Chang off from DOJ’s National Security Division. Menendez, who is represented by Paul Hastings LLP and Jones Day, while Nadine Menendez counsel includes Coburn GCreenbaum & Eisenstein PLLC. Attorneys for Hana are with Gibbons PC and attorneys for Daibes are The Law Firm of Cesar de Castro PC and Gotlib Law PLLC.
