US Sen. Bob Menendez’s wife received a diamond engagement ring as part of their alleged bribery scheme, which at times involved her using an alternate phone that the couple referred to as her “007” device, according to new court filings.
The veteran New Jersey Democrat, 70, allegedly had an arrangement with Egyptian American halal purveyor Wael Hana, but it supposedly nearly fell apart when the latter tried to cheat the politician and his wife, Nadine, out of the value of a diamond engagement ring, new court documents filed late Monday revealed.
Menendez allegedly received $150,000 in exchange for intervening in a criminal insurance fraud case, the documents indicated.
Hana — a co-defendant accused of using his company to funnel bribes to the Menendezes — was tasked with using part of the payout to buy Nadine a new Mercedes-Benz convertible and the $35,000 sparkler.
Hana, however, actually bought a $12,000 ring, and wangled a $35,000 receipt by splurging on two watches, a bracelet, and a necklace for himself, prosecutors stated.
Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were indicted on bribery charges last fall.Getty Images
Menendez allegedly received $150,000 in exchange for intervening in a criminal insurance fraud case, the documents indicated.NY Post composite
“The Hana associate also explained that Menendez knew that Hana shortchanged him with respect to the ring, and that Nadine Menendez … had taken the ring back to the jeweler and learned that it was worth less money,” the document explained.
“Wael … was about to ruin things with Bob. Bob who is starting to listen to us,” a confidential source with ties to Egyptian officials said, according to prosecutors.
Sen. Menendez narrowly dodged federal charges in 2017.
Last fall, Bob and Nadine Menendez pleaded not guilty to federal charges that they allegedly accepted hefty bribes — including hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold bars — from three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for political favors.
Subsequent charges also accused Menendez of leveraging his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to act as an agent of Egyptian and Qatari interests.
The new filings rebutted the senator’s request to block evidence seized during searches of his Englewood Cliffs home on the basis that investigators were overly broad and ignored details that were favorable to the couple.
Investigators found heaps of cash in the couple’s New Jersey home.US District Court
At times, Menendez made calls to what the couple supposedly referred to as Nadine’s “‘007’ phone” — an apparent reference to the fictional spy James Bond, prosecutors revealed in the new evidence drop.
When investigators searched the Englewood Cliffs house, they also supposedly found two bags filled with $100,000 in cash each “on top of a large rack of clothes hangers” in the couple’s basement, the filing added.
“Under the jackets were four boots, stuffed with cash, including one boot containing in excess of $5,000 in $50 bills,” the document stated.
Both Menendez and his wife had apparently told staffers that the gold bars at the residence were inherited from the latter’s mother after her death.
The couple claimed that the gold bars were inherited from Nadine’s mother.U.S. Attorneyâs Office
The damning evidence, prosecutors wrote in the new filing, should be more than enough to demonstrate that “Menendez did in fact know about the corrupt quid pro quo.”
The filing also slammed the senator’s counsel’s claims that the allegations against him were part of “the government’s apparent zeal to ‘get back’ at Senator Menendez” after he narrowly dodged a federal corruption conviction in 2017.
The Menendezes’ three co-defendants — including Hanna — have pleaded not guilty.
Wael’s attorney, Lawrence S. Lustberg, declined to comment on the new allegations, but said they planned to reply to the prosecution with their own filing due Monday.
The attorneys for Bob and Nadine Menendez did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for a comment.
News
The Impressive Power of USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108)
The USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108): A Testament to American Naval Power and Technology The USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108), a formidable Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, stands as a symbol of American naval supremacy and cutting-edge technology. With its impressive capabilities…
Revealing the Formidable Musashi: Yamato’s Terrifying Sister Ship
The Mighty Musashi: A Personal Account of the Formidable Japanese Battleship’s Sinking Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen made headlines earlier this week when he announced the discovery of the long-lost Japanese battleship Musashi, the fearsome sister ship of the renowned Yamato….
VIDEO : When Pilots Fall Short: Unveiling the High-Stakes Drama of Landing on US Aircraft Carriers
When a pilot misses the landing on a US aircraft carrier, a carefully choreographed and high-stakes series of events is set into motion.Landing on an aircraft carrier is an incredibly demanding and precise task, often referred to as a “trap”…
Why Can’t Monster Waves Sink The US Navy’s Largest Aircraft Carriers In Rough Seas ?
The sight of an aircraft carrier slicing through turbulent seas is a spectacle that commands awe and admiration. Have you ever pondered the remarkable resilience of these colossal vessels in the face of nature’s fury? Dive deep with us into…
VIDEO : A Day of Advanced Sea Patrol with U.S. Amphibious Ships
U.S. Super Advanced Amphibious Ships: Guardians of the Seas Embarking on a journey through the depths of innovation and maritime supremacy, the U.S. Super Advanced Amphibious Ships stand as titans of the ocean, epitomizing cutting-edge naval prowess. With a symphony…
The Indomitable Power: The Mighty Champion of the 4K Generation in the 21st Century
In the whirlwind world of modern technology, where speed and innovation reign supreme, there’s an exhilarating countdown that captures the essence of progress. Welcome to “Greatest Ever,” a riveting top ten compilation that delves into the marvels of contemporary technology….
End of content
No more pages to load