Opening statements planned in Menendez trial

Opening statements in the federal bribery and obstruction trial of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) are set to begin Wednesday in Manhattan.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Menendez and his wife Nadine accepted “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in bribes in exchange for the senator’s political power, which they said enriched several New Jersey businessmen as well as the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

The bribes were allegedly paid in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other lavish gifts.

Jury selection began Tuesday. Judge Sidney H. Stein said he seemed optimistic that everything could be concluded by Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported.

Menéndez, 70, and two of the businessmen are currently on trial. A third pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the other defendants, according to the AP. His wife will be tried in July.

The New Jersey Democrat has consistently maintained his innocence despite facing intense scrutiny from colleagues over multiple superseding charges in the case. Although he resigned as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year, he has largely rejected calls from even those in his own party to step down.

He also said he would not seek re-election on the Democratic ticket in November, but did not rule out the possibility of running as an independent candidate.

“I am hopeful that my exoneration will occur this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election,” he said in March.

As the trial continues, it is unknown whether Menendez will testify in his own defense. But the senator told CBS News that he plans to attend the trial daily, “subject to the schedule”.

The Associated Press contributed.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story