Witness testimony expected to begin in Bob Menendez bribery trial
CBSN
The bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey continues Thursday, with the first witness expected to take the stand as soon as Thursday afternoon.
Wednesday's proceedings consisted of opening statements, as the defense and prosecution offered very different portraits of the Democratic senator. Menendez, who is being tried separately from his wife, Nadine Menendez, stands accused of trading his influence and power to foreign governments and three New Jersey businessmen in a complex bribery scheme that allegedly spanned from 2018 to 2023.
"Public officials are supposed to serve the public," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Pomerantz on Wednesday. "Menendez was a powerful elective, official and corrupt. He betrayed the people who were supposed to serve for bribes. Gold bars. A bogus job for his wife. Mercedes-Benz."
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